Truly Magical

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2007)

"The Prestige" was box office magic, and for good reason. The film chronicles the brutal rivalry between two former friends, Angier (Hugh Jackamn) and Borden (Christian Bale). The story is set in 19th century Britain, and is a tale of magic, betrayal, greed, and trickery. So as not to spoil the plot, I'll focus on the acting and visuals, mostly. Angier is the more likable magician of the two rivals, and this is mainly due to the superb portrayal of him by Hugh Jackman. Jackman is not over-the-top, yet possesses an unwritten magic about him in this film. He turns in stellar work in a more restrained part than usual. Bale is effective and very good as Borden, but I found his character cruel and annoying. Still, he, like Jackamn, does very well with the proper accent. I just felt he was a bit too over-the-top at the wrong moments, and I felt for his wife.
Michael Caine plays the mentor of the two magicians, Cutter, and is absolutely superb. His voice is impeccable and easy to listen to, and I really liked his character. Scarlett Johansen, who usually plays trashy and useless roles, is actually very good in the film. She looks fantastic and plays her part just right, with a little bit of sass, but not too much. I also enjoyed the work of David Bowie and Andy Serkis as Tesla the scientist and his assistant.
The other magical part of "The Prestige" is the mood and visuals. The costumes are all pitch-perfect, making the time period obvious. The cinematography is gorgeous, always setting the mood in a kind of subtle way. Christopher Nolan gives the film the dark edginess it needs, and I was engrossed from the beginning.
All in all, the film is great. It has its minor flaws, but Christopher Nolan and the cast bring it alive in thrilling fashion. It's a great film for magic enthusiasts, but also for the general audience (I can't do a single magic trick). Go and rent it right now if you can, and you won't be disappointed!