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The Pledge: Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are ameteur magicians under the tutelage of Cutter (Michael Caine). They all work together until one day a mishap with a trick sees the death of Angier's wife who was an assistant in the act. Having previously debated over the use of various knots to tie up his wife, Angier suspects Borden of using one of the stronger knots he had forbidden. This causes an irrevocable rift between the two who end up becoming rival magicians. The obsessions of both men cause the rivalry to turn dangerous and eventually deadly. One of the first scenes of the film shows the death of one of the magicians so I'm not spoiling anything. The narrative then plays out as a combination of the aftermath where the remaining magician is on trial for the murder of the other as well as a series of flashbacks told through the other's journal that he reads in his cell. Borden was always the better magician by far, but he lacked the showmanship to really sell his performances. Angier driven by the anger of his wife's death becomes consumed with learning Borden's tricks. He's convinced that he can crush Borden as a magician with his superior showmanship if he had the same act. One trick in particular becomes the object of Angier's obsession. It's an illusion he calls, "the greatest magic trick he's ever seen." It's called The Transported Man. He works with Cutter to try and figure the trick out. Cutter is convinced that Borden simply uses a double to pull of his disappearance/reappearance. Angier knows that it is Borden who both disappears and reappears in the trick, but he can find no other way to pull the trick off so he works with a double. With his superior showmanship, he's able to pull off a more impressive act, but it's not enough for him as it's his double that gets the prestige. He simply must learn Borden's secret so he can pull off the act and get the prestige as well. Things escalate from there. To talk any more of the plot would be to ruin the story. The Turn: Director Christopher Nolan is a master of the psychological thriller genre, and that's exactly what this film is. While many people will be watching this film for the twists and turns, the real meat is in the examination of these two fantastic and psychotic characters. Watching each of them break down over time consumed by their own ambitions and obsessions is both disturbing and fascinating to watch. Nolan is also a genius when it comes to narrative. I omit his first name here because I'm not sure which Nolan deserves the most credit. The Prestige is the first film since Memento that brother Jonathan Nolan helped write. Like that film, The Prestige tells it's story in an unusual fashion. The use of flashbacks through journal entries is not new perhaps, but the idea of having flashbacks within a flashback as one journal accounts for the stories in yet another journal is quite novel. Yet, the unusual narrative style isn't used for novelty. In The Prestige, the narrative style serves a very strong purpose. Another great aspect of the film is how it itself plays out in the same fashion as a magic trick. The opening of the film has Michael Caine narrating the concept of a magic act in three parts: The Pledge, The Turn, and The Prestige. He goes on to tell you that even though you'll be looking to find out how it's done, you won't get it because you really aren't looking. I've heard a few complaints about this film and people claim they figured out the film's "trick" early on. I think many mistake the film's big reveal on the Transported Man for the real point. Like great magicians, the Nolans let you figure out what they want you to figure out so that all the while the real illusion carries out right before your eyes unnoticed. Christopher Nolan again proves he's the finest director to hit the scene in some time. I don't need to tell you the acting is top notch. When you get this kind of talent working for this kind of director, it's a given. What really makes this film is the screenplay. It succeeds not only as a top notch thriller and mystery, but also an intriguing character study. The narrative for the story is brilliantly devised. From the set design, to the costumes, to the musical score, all the production values are top notch. The Prestige: The Prestige is easily one of the best films of the year. I'll be shocked if it doesn't at least get a nomination for the Best Screenplay Oscar. Like Memento it is a complex and tightly woven story that can't be completely digested in one viewing, though it certainly can be enjoyed. I caution viewers not to go into this film constantly looking to figure out the big twist. That is not the point of this film. Instead focus on the tragic story of these two characters of how they come together and ultimately come apart. The twists and turns will come, but they are all just part of the act. email this review to a friend
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