MOVIE REVIEW: THE PRESTIGE

You know when you want to relax and see a movie on the sofa after a long day? Well, yesterday I saw a wonderful movie, one of Christopher Nolan’s masterpieces. To tell the truth,  I was skeptical at first, but still I had to see it. And guess what? I’ve discovered I love it. One of the best movie in the world!

Anyway,  I advise you not to read the complete plot which does not do it  justice. 

In short, two talented magicians and good friends, after a series of unfortunate events become arch enemies. It is just this “series of unfortunate events” which make the film so amazing and intriguing.

Yes, intriguing is the perfect word to describe this movie. It keeps you glued to your seat and the screen!  

SUCH A COMPLICATED PUZZLE

Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But, of course, it probably isn't.

The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret,  but you won't find it, because, of course,  you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. 

That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige".

A magic film  is composed by the same three parts too! And Nolan is a true magician because you are not able to understand what is real and what is not, what is true and what is fiction.                                                                                                       

When I heard the opening narration, I got chills and I understood it would be very interesting. The story is very complicated, every single detail is important to understand the truth. The story is not linear, it’s disconnected but every scene is a piece of the puzzle and at the end these pieces fit together perfectly. I  spent so much time to understand it, but one watching isn’t enough.

Now, I am going to tell you the “Three Magic Tricks” that make it the best among Nolan’s movies.

A PRESTIGIOUS CAST

Hugh Jackman (Robert Angier) and Christian Bale (Afred Borden) , both in a double role, breathe life into a ruthless rivalry. Angier is elegant, rational and bitter.

Borden is crude, instinctive and rabid.

Micheal Caine is the tiebraker, a wise man and a life coach. He is an (un)aware accomplice of both. In the end, he demonstrates he is the moral judge of the situation.

Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall are in love with Angier and Borden. Both report their lovers’ egoism.

There is David Bowie too who plays Nikolas Tesla. He was been praised by Nolan, who wanted the singer act in the film. 

THE LAST ABRAKADABRA: AN OBSESSIVE RIVALRY

Hateful glances, people who drow on the stage or behind the stage. All stats in a water tank, all finishes in a water tank! Two friends with a common passion, the same passion which makes them two terrible rivals, consumed by envy. They are not just two magicians at war with each other, but the symbol of two different ways to do a show. One wants to capture the audience’s attention, the other wants to amaze people.  It’s impossible to take side, both have a positive and a terrible side.

TWISTS AND TURNS

Get ready to be amazed! Every single scene hides a twist. Science-fiction elements contribute to a fantastic effect. The machine called Tesla gives the movie a fantasy character, making the situation even more complex (is that possible?). it’s impossible to describe how amazing this film is. The only thing you can do it’s to see it!    

     

Every magic trick consists of three parts, or acts. The first part is called the pledge, the magician shows you something ordinary. The second act is called the turn, the magician takes the ordinary something and makes it into something extraordinary. But you wouldn't clap yet, because making something disappear isn't enough. You have to bring it BACK. Now you're looking for the secret. But you won't find it because, of course, you're not really looking. You don't really want to work  it out. You want to be fooled.

I’ll leave you with the closing narration. (Do you notice anything different?)

FEDERICA