A True Cinematic Experience; A Perfect Masterpice

Rating: 10/10 (8 January 2011)

Few movies are on the same visceral level as Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige". Most movies and film directors allow their actors (uusualy A-List Stars) take over their films making story an afterthought. However I applaud Nolan for while letting his actors do their best and truly achieve superb acting, he keeps them at bay, making the overall experience more complete. All the actors still truly shine here with Hugh Jackman giving a standout performance as a conflicted, obsessive man who is brilliant and mad at the same time. He is sharp, dramatic, and fulfilling and I hope he does more roles like this rather than playing Wolverine in X-Men. Christian Bale matches him very well as the sly, creepy, but perhaps a little more lighter character than Jackman's giving the film more balance. Michael Caine delivers a top-notch performance as is expected and Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansenn are quite good as well making a superb ensemble cast.
Now as for the much talked about plot, this is where the film truly shines. The plot, like most of Nolan's films it told while randomly switching through different time-lines but it always very clear when we are in the storyline and each time we switch back to a new time we gain more insight and exposition making the main storyline an exciting puzzle to piece together. The twists and surprises are plentiful and varied, all perfectly revealed and perhaps very smartly reserved for different points during the film. For example forty minutes through the film we have one plot twist, ten minutes later we have another, fifteen minutes later we have another, and Nolan keeps the best for last delivering the last plot twist in the final minutes or so crowning the film with a true prestige. One of The greatest things about this plot and Nolan Films in general is that they are visually and mentally stimulating at the same time proving that big-budget films with Hollywood actors can be smart and entertaining. Also along with the main plot there is a minor sub-plot of the romance between Bale's character and the two female leads which turns to be tragic and heart-breaking and giving this very stylish film an emotional core.
The last thing i can say about this film is the atmosphere. "The Prestige" is most likely one of the most atmospheric films ever made and this in equal part to the haunting score and the hypnotic cinematography courtesy of Nolan standby Wally Pfister. The score firstly has often been criticized at being too simple and not being able to stand on its own without the film. But that's the Point! For some strange reason people expect that they can listen to an original score that was meant to be part of a complex plot and paired with cinematic ambiance and still enjoy it. However this score was rightfully designed to be an integral part of a perfect whole.Pfister's Cinematography is breathtaking making each frame evocative in its own right, and gradually brings you intimately close with the characters and the wonderful period sets.
If there's one thing I need to warn you about this film is the suspense. I found myself having trouble breathing during some scenes due to anticipation or terror and throughout the film i could not tear my eyes away from the screen. The film is highly addictive and engrossing. Nolan rivals Hitchcock in terms of mastery of suspense. Be warned though, this film is dark and depressing. One thing Nolan could have done was adding some sort of comic relief. Notwithstanding this a superb film and is among the best films ever made and rightfully deserves your attention. :)