A dark and twisting snake of a film!

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2006)

The Prestige is an awesome film. The character development is done really well and I was drawn into the film despite being sceptical of it.
For me it was Christian Bale that stole the show. He favours the understated style of acting and understands that a lot of the time less is more. This makes for a believable and heart felt performance.
My favourite aspect of the film and part of its beauty is the way the film is been structured. The explanation at the beginning of the film of the three stages of a magic trick could also be applied to the plot. The following quote sums up how the film is created: "Every great magic trick consists of three acts. The first act is called "The Pledge"; The magician shows you something ordinary, but of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn"; The magician makes his ordinary some thing do something extraordinary. Now if you're looking for the secret... you won't find it, that's why there's a third act called, "The Prestige"; this is the part with the twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something shocking you've never seen before." The Prestige has more than enough twists to keep you on edge and even though you know they're coming they're still clever.
For all the praise I can give there are few criticisms. Parts of the storyline don't quite seem to fit together. I found myself having to let a few faults and coincidences go in order to enjoy the film.
I particularly liked the three levels that the film operated on. As a simple film about two magicians feuding with a colourful storyline; as a drama that sucked the viewer in and made the characters problems and successes your own; and finally the level that makes this film stand out was the darker side to the film. A plot that reveals itself in the end as a sinister struggle full of death and treachery.
The Prestige is a must see so book your ticket now! : )