Nothing will prepare you...

Rating: 8/10 (27 October 2006)

I've been contemplating my opinion on this movie for a week now since seeing it with my girl in the theater. After reading both good and bad reviews of it here at IMDb, I'm utterly confused by the people that gave it a 10, and, at the same time, confused by the ones that gave it a 1. Although I'm usually good at figuring out movies' plot twists ahead of the actual explanation (I figured out "The Others" within 20 minutes and many more), my girl figured this one out first. I'm sure all the nay-sayers that disliked this movie will call me "blind" for that, however, I think the way the story was told is the culprit..and for that I give it EXCELLENT marks. I will break down my review in parts, so as not to lose track:
1) The acting was superb. I give high marks all around for each of the characters. Angier (Jackman) started slowly as nothing more than a jealous man, competitive for no other reason than his Y chromosome. And then his jealousy for a talent he did not possess, mixed with hatred for the loss of his wife, drove him to live and die just to beat Borden (Bale) at his own game. Olivia (Johannson) was just right (not a strong role to begin with) to mix up the two competitors. And, of course, Michael Caine is always a strong choice to add to any movie. The biggest-surprise-of-the-movie award, ultimately, must go to David Bowie as Tesla! I grew up watching him in "Labyrinth", which was easy for him since he's bizarre to begin with. But to see him play such a solid, striking role and hold his own with veteran actors was fabulous! The folks that had trouble understanding the English accents in this film need to expand their horizons and travel to some other countries instead of sitting on their couches expecting everyone to have perfect "American" diction...as if that isn't an oxy-moron! *sigh*
2) The sets and costumes were as genuine as they could make them. You had the feeling of being transported in time to a former era, to realize what it's like to live in "dark times". The detail and authenticity of the gadgets were above and beyond, in my opinion. I'm not much of one for history, nor magic/illusion, but I've spent enough time backstage and ON stage to know how complex and precise props and gizmos must be.
3) Finally, the most difficult item, the PLOT. Although I believe some things could have been changed, again, I give the writer/director high marks for flipping the story around so much that what should be obvious, isn't. It's precisely what magic and illusion is all about, and I believe that was the point. I admit sometimes it was hard to tell what time the scene was in, mainly because the meat of the story is told from a flashback within a flashback. In the PRESENT, Borden is reading a diary of Angier in the PAST while Angier (in the PAST) is reading a diary of Borden in the PAST. Confusing, isn't it? However, if you are the type of viewer that doesn't mind actually thinking during a movie, you'll see it works to its advantage. I can't fathom how some reviews of this movie didn't like Memento either! Poor things probably like to watch perfectly linear stories so they don't have to think too hard. Anyways...after all of the flashbacks play out and we're completing the plot in the PRESENT, we discover some very disturbing things. Originally we figure Angier is the protagonist (who wouldn't want revenge on someone that killed their wife) and Borden is the antagonist (he's in jail for killing Angier), but as Angier slowly loses his way in the flashbacks, so do we. Roles are reversed and the audience becomes torn as to whom they should side with. This is PERFECT! Who do you feel for in the end? Angier for losing his wife and being consumed by his plight for revenge? Borden for making a simple mistake and paying dearly for it? There are just too many lessons to learn from this film if you look closely - Don't judge someone too quickly; Hatred will consume everyone and everything in your life; Never try to steal something just because you don't possess it yourself...earn it; and so on and so forth.
To sum up: I will gladly pay the entrance fee for a movie of this caliber any day. It makes you think about yourself and the people around you. It shows you things that, just because they may not be factual, doesn't mean they aren't symbolic. Angier simply bought (the Tesla machine) and stole something (Borden's trick idea) from others to perform his "tricks" (revenge). Borden was always the more talented and he LIVED magic along with his twin that had the same passion. Never take anyone for granted (Borden's twin was, Olivia was, Tesla was, Borden's wife was, Cutter was) or their friendship.
My opinion is to see this film regardless of what you hear. If you enjoy a twisting and turning journey into the dark parts of humankind's emotions, this ride is for you!