The Prestige

The Prestige

Line 1: Christopher Nolan delivers again.

Rating: 8/10

Cast: Christian Bale, Hugh Ackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine

Plot: A friendship gone wrong, a rivalry that took them too far, an obsession that destroyed everything.

Two individuals who want to become the greatest magicians are fighting a battle of wits against each other. One is a natural magician and the other is a performer. A tragic event makes them mortal enemies and from then on begins a chase for the greatest trick and the need of each individual to belittle/kill/wound the other. The games they play against each other, destroys the individuals their family, but gives the audience of the magic what it wants. The prestige, the final part of the act when the magician reappears in front of the audience and the moment when people cannot seem to believe what they see and applaud. The story unfolds in 4 different time zones(time is the key player with Nolan) and finally culminates in the finale. All the actors ( except possibly Johansson who is stone faced except in one scene) give excellent performances. The pace of the movie ensures that 'you watch closely' throughout. The editing is taut, and the setting is near perfect. The direction is pure brilliance when you consider the complexities of the plot.

The review does not give the names of characters or the full details as I believe you have to watch this one.