If I were more interested in magicians and illusionists, I imagine I’d be a lot pickier when watching a movie like Christopher Nolan‘s The Prestige. As a longtime fan of the director’s work, the film isn’t in my top five, but still, revisiting it twenty years later for the sake of the anniversary is an absolute blast.
As a fan of Victorian-era content, there’s plenty to appreciate about what the movie accomplishes within the time period. There’s much to appreciate about the dark and eerie setting that sets it apart from many of Nolan’s films that target other eras, making it particularly haunting from start to finish, even with some of the minute pacing issues in the middle.
In addition, the casting in The Prestige is what continues to stand out. Nolan and Cillian Murphy make one of the most astounding teams in Hollywood, but Nolan and Christian Bale will always hold a soft spot for me. The edge and magnetism of this director and actor duo bring an advantage that can never be replicated, and I’m forever grateful we got The Dark Knight trilogy to continue seeing more. Alongside Bale, Sir Michael Caine, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Andy Serkis, and the late and inimitable David Bowie are each so remarkable in their respective roles that watching their work again years later is a huge gift. It’s especially incredible to note what some of them have also done after this film, making their casting that much more significant because what they do in The Prestige is so different from other roles we can watch them in.
A movie like this holds up not only because of its entertaining narrative or the clever plot twist in the end, but because of what everyone brings to the forefront as they layer these characters in a manner that allows the story to feel richer. And with the strong character work, Nolan’s vision as a director shines more brilliantly because of the desperation he brings to the center of the characters trying to achieve the ultimate transportation act.
More than anything, it’s the narration in the beginning and end that gives the story the type of conclusion that feels both satisfying and a little agonizing to sit with. Neither men are supposed to be likable or even easy to root for at the end of the day, yet you can’t help but feel a bit of hope at the detail of a daughter reuniting with her father. The rivalry and bitterness that both Borden and Angier have toward one another also aren’t easy to empathize with, and the film never asks us to. It simply demands that we understand how far people are willing to go in order to achieve what they’ve set their minds to. It asks us to understand the depth of sacrifice and the sorrow that comes from a human being not living their life fully.
Visually, The Prestige is among one of the most gorgeous films in Nolan’s filmography, and a tremendous showcase of how much he packs into a single frame. The fact that his craftsmanship has continued to evolve with every film he’s done is proof of his talent, and perhaps that’s what makes this one so sensational two decades later.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Warner Bros. Pictures