The Prestige

PREMIER MOVIE REVIEWS - The Prestige (2006)

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The Prestige (2006)

Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Thriller

Director: Christopher Nolan

Certificate: The Prestige was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 12 years of age or upwards. Persons under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = moderate. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = mild. Language = mild.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: The Prestige

Plot Summary & Review

I liked the look of The Prestige from the previews and with Christopher Nolan at the helm it looked like a sure-fire winner. And I have to say the recreation of Victorian London along with some fine performances, make this a lovely film to look at, however, before I launch into my review I guessed which way the ending may go halfway through and that kind of took the shine off it a wee bit for me. However, it is still a worthwhile offering nonetheless.

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The story revolves around two Victorian magicians, Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), who initially set out as friends, end up bitter rivals, and as a result are constantly trying to discover each others secrets and create bigger and better illusions in order to please the ever demanding public.

It becomes an obsession for both men, manifesting itself in slightly different ways. The story is told in a retrospective manner as we see Cutter (Michael Caine) a kind of magician's agent come illusion maker help retell the fate of both men in a series of flashbacks. Scarlett Johansson makes an appearance as Olivia who eventually becomes assistant to both magicians at different times, she looks beautiful and ornamental but for me didn't make a huge acting impact on this particular occasion. David Bowie and Andy Serkis turn up as Tesla and his assistant Alley, with Tesla an inventor come scientist commissioned to design a kind of electro magnetic machine to assist Angier with the Transported Man trick which is the Crème de la Crème of illusions.

A visually superior film, with Bale as the menacing Borden dominating proceedings (an actor who has matured so much over the last few years) and both Jackman and Caine giving equally pleasing performances - it has a lot to offer. Obsession of any kind can be a dangerous thing and Caine quips in the film that it is a - young man's game - unfortunately for these two it destroys their souls and there is a lesson to be learnt in there somewhere for us all. The Prestige is certainly well worth a peep, something totally different to what's been doing the rounds over the last twelve months or so, and if you don't guess the ending The Prestige is a fascinating, and worthwhile experience it has to be said. In a word - intriguing.

Reviewed by Mary Kate, Premier Movie Reviews 2007

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN: Batman Begins, Insomnia. HUGH JACKMAN: Swordfish. CHRISTIAN BALE: Batman Begins, Captain Corelli's Mandolin. SCARLETT JOHANSSON: Girl With A Pearl Earring. MICHAEL CAINE: Austin Powers - Goldmember, Batman Begins, Children of Men, Miss Congeniality, The Cider House Rules. PIPER PERABO: Cheaper By The Dozen, Coyote Ugly.

Main Cast

Hugh Jackman

Christian Bale

Scarlett Johansson

Michael Caine

Piper Perabo

Samantha Mahurin

David Bowie

Andy Serkis

Rebecca Hall

RATING