Creative, intelligent, well-written and top-notch acting

Rating: 10/10 (29 October 2006)

The movie follows two competing magicians through their careers, as they each try to upstage the other and as their rivalry escalates. In the fighting, they both loose things dear to them, and each loss is more brutal, right to the very end.
The movie was very well written, well directed and the acting was top-notch. Christian Bale plays a magician who is extremely talented when it comes to magic, but not so much when it comes to showmanship. His rival, played by Hugh Jackman, easily surpasses him in that area and catches the eye of the crowd far better. Bale, upset at being the better magician but not seen as such grows bitter and wants what Jackman has.
At the same time, Jackman envies what he sees in Bale - his talent, and his tricks and he becomes obsessed with trying to figure them out, namely his most impressive trick, the Transported Man. Jackman comes up with his own version of it, aided with a machine built by Mr. Tesla himself (played by David Bowie of all people, and with surprising accuracy).
However, the trick isn't quite what it seems. Really, really, really not what it seems.
As a matter of fact, neither is Bale's trick what it seems. Nor is his family life.
It all builds up right to the end, with very well placed twists, and the last one the most shocking of all.
It's good. Go see it. You'll like it.