Member review

With the recent release of “Tenet”, the eleventh film from renowned writer/ director Christopher Nolan, I decided to re-visit one of his most highly discussed endeavours, the atmospheric tale of revenge, morality and obsession, “The Prestige.”

Housing impeccable performances from the star-studded cast, skilful direction and a riveting narrative, “The Prestige” is a superb film. Despite it’s slow pace and twisted chronology (which is a common trope of Nolan’s movies) this is a captivating watch. Although I don’t think this is a perfect film (the final twist walks the line of utter genius and absolute lunacy) “The Prestige” is still a highlight in the filmography of one of my favourite directors.

Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are both incredible as the warring magicians, hell-bent on creating a more awe-inspiring illusion than the other. Both of these roles are immensely complex, with both actors having to convey a multitude of different layers to their characters in a manner that the audience can follow without becoming lost. Thankfully Jackman and Bale are extremely talented actors, so although their characters are fairly unlikeable (a flaw that I’ll get back to later), it’s hard to deny how exceptional they are here.

The supporting cast in “The Prestige” are brilliant, from Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson, to Rebecca Hall and David Bowie. Every cast member delivers an intricate performance that never feels like they’re simply playing themselves.

“The Prestige” plays out in an elaborate way, the narrative interweaves multiple timelines and character journeys together in typical Nolan fashion. This could so easily have become a convoluted, pretentious mess, but it’s surprisingly easy to follow. The editing is precise, the writing is intelligent (but still coherent) and the directing is purposeful.

From a filmmaking perspective, every element of “The Prestige” is terrific. The lavish costumes, authentic sets and remarkable cinematography capture the eerie atmosphere of the tale very efficiently. I’d also like to mention that I love the aesthetic of the film, the Victorian setting combined with the steampunk-esque technology used to create the various magic tricks is visually unique. Whilst it doesn’t feature the bombast (or budget) of Nolan’s later productions, “The Prestige” still creates a living-breathing world that’s engaging to watch.

One of my minor nit-picks with “The Prestige” is the song for the final credits, that being “Analyse” by Thom Yorke. I’ll be honest, my musical knowledge could fill the back of a postage stamp (I’d certainly never heard of Thom Yorke before doing some research) but I found this song a bizarre choice for the ending. Firstly, the film is a period piece, so concluding it with a modern song is jarring. Secondly, the final shot of “The Prestige” is so unsettling that the immediate jump to a lyrical song undercuts the raw emotions of that final moment. I’d prefer it if the film closed with some introspective orchestral music, rather than an out-of-place song.

My one genuine complaint with “The Prestige” is that both of the two protagonists are highly unlikeable. Hugh Jackman’s character (Robert) is at the centre of the story for the majority of the film; we spend the most time with him, making us care about his struggles against Bale’s character (Alfred.) Robert’s hatred of Alfred is completely justified to begin with, but by the end, we’re asked to invest more in the antagonistic Alfred than the previously charismatic Robert. I understand that it was probably the filmmakers’ intention, to take a generally relatable person and show us how obsession can warp them into something far less likeable, but the tangled morality of the protagonists made it very difficult for me to side with either of them.

Despite my criticisms, I’d highly recommend “The Prestige.” It’s a riveting story that grabs you from the opening frame and doesn’t let you go until the final spine-chilling shot. The cast are all spectacular, the script is nuanced and the direction is as ingenious as you’d expect. The big reveal may be slightly too fantastical for some audience members to stomach, but if you allow yourself to be dazzled by a true filmmaking magician, “The Prestige” is a very rewarding experience.