140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW
Good novel, great adaptation. Nolan’s finest? Could be. Best in class acting, quick pace, tight dialogue, gorgeous design. Bowie as Tesla…
Spoiler-free Movie Review of The Prestige:
(#140RVW published 9/24/2012; full review published January 12, 2016)
The Prestige is perhaps the most cinematic of Christopher Nolan’s films, which is really saying something. There’s something of magic in the very existence of motion pictures, so the film depiction of legerdemain always possesses something special.
Set in Victorian England, The Prestige is the story of two stage magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), who were colleagues before a terrible accident made them enemies. Angier, with the help of his ingenieur John Cutter (Michael Caine) and assistant Olivia Wenscombe (Scarlett Johansson) attempts to outdo Borden’s more original illusions with a better theatrical presentation, but the competition is an ugly one, consisting of sabotage, theft and violence.
The original 1995 novel, The Prestige, by Christopher Priest was itself a fabulous tale. I read the book after seeing the film; I’m not sure which to recommend checking out first. They are each unique stories and both are worthy of your time. I feel that the film is a smoother, more evolved story, which suggests that one should read the book first so the novel does not disappoint. However, the reveals of the story will spoil the surprises of the film. I guess I’d advise going with the movie first, as it puts a greater premium on preserving the illusion as more of surprise than the novel does.
The script by Jonathan Nolan is world-class; enhancing and surpassing what was already a great story and turning it into something sublime.
The Prestige came out at the same time as the similarly excellent magic film The Illusionist. Both pictures are wonderful in their own way; maybe the only time two pictures with such similarities completely failed to interfere with each other.
While the film contains Nolan’s hallmark time-shifting, it’s not gimmicky; if anything it enhances the tale. In truth, the novel doesn’t follow a straight line either, which is part of why it was such a perfect property for the Nolan brothers.
Any one of the principal actors could/should have received an Oscar nomination for their role. Jackman & Bale submit two of the best performances of their careers. Michael Caine has one of his meatiest roles in years, even if it’s a supporting part. Rebecca Hall & Scarlett Johansson show great depth, and Andy Serkis continues to prove his versatility.
And David Bowie as Nikola Tesla? Brilliant. I really didn’t know Bowie was in the film until he was; it was the coolest surprise when he was revealed. No one else could have played the genius inventor/magician so well. Tesla is long overdue for a biopic; they keep trying to get it happening. While I fervently hope they get it off the ground one of these days, there’s no way it will be as fascinating as the fictional depiction of The Man Out of Time that the Nolans and Bowie presented here. No, it’s not historically accurate – Tesla did indeed watch his ideas and innovations credited to other men who got rich and famous off of his creations, and Edison was a bully, but he didn’t actually sabotage his colleague/employee – it doesn’t matter. Print the legend…
A number of professional illusionists consulted on the picture, and it shows. You could believe that these lead actors are true practitioners of the craft.
The art direction, set design, costumes – all head of the class. The locations breathe with vitality and so completely envelop you in the time period that you won’t spend a second questioning it.
But the biggest star truly is the story. This tale of dueling magicians was an iron-clad lock to make a good film, but the screenplay really elevates it to another level. The film is over two hours long and I can’t stand when it finally ends – and I’ve probably seen it a dozen times. That’s the true genius of the Nolan’s; yes, there’s a hook, a twist, something unique, but after you know what it is the film simply gets more interesting. I missed The Prestige in theaters, and the first time I finished watching it at home, I paused for about ten minutes and then started it right back up again.
The highest recommendation…
Poster:
Trailer:
https://youtu.be/ZjDbu44RFnU
Bechdel Test:
Fail
The Representation Test Score: C (4 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
| Main Cast | Christian Bale Alfred Borden Hugh Jackman Robert Angier Scarlett Johansson Olivia Wenscombe Michael Caine Cutter |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Release Date | Fri 20 Oct 2006 UTC |
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
| Genres | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller |
| Plot | Two stage magicians engage in competitive one-upmanship in an attempt to create the ultimate stage illusion. |
| Poster |  |
| Runtime | 130 |
| Tagline | A Friendship That Became a Rivalry. |
| Writers | Jonathan Nolan (screenplay) and, Christopher Nolan (screenplay) … |
| Year | 2006 |
