Problems with an otherwise good film.

Rating: 6/10 (10 November 2006)

Wouldn't Angier (assuming he is very observant) realize that Fallon (Borden's assistant) is actually Borden (considering he kidnapped him)? The credibility of the characters is contingent upon the audience (us and their own) believing in their keen ability. I find it hard to believe that all of these intellectuals never considered that Borden's double was, in fact, his assistant. Considering that Cutter assumed it was a double all along. You could argue that, in their haste, they never noticed, while they kidnapped him. However, it wouldn't even require the kidnapping for them to suspect it. Angier comments on how strange Fallon was (even under duress he never spoke). Furthermore, you could argue that Angier became so obsessed with learning the trick that he became careless in his craft. And, if the Borden twins was the supreme secret and therefore trick, why waste time on the dangerous bullet-catch trick? Why not break out the big guns earlier (no pun intended) (aside from it being a much shorter movie)? Also, as an epicurean, and skeptic, I HATE that they used Tesla to try and stamp the movie with certain credentials that the man would never abide. Tesla was certainly eccentric, but he was a scientist first and foremost, and he never made, or endeavored to make a machine like the one in the film. Its a pet-peeve when writers, and director's try to advocate chicanery with science. I go to the cinema willing to suspend disbelief. There is no need to tarnish the reputation of a great man to do this.