Mini-Review – The Prestige (2006)

Synopsis: My illusion can beat up your illusion.

Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale, yum), are wannabe illusionists who work together, but develop very different philosophies and styles. Angier is the penultimate performer, Borden is the rebellious risk-taker. After a tragic accident during a performance, they split up. Their careers develop separately, with Angier becoming a success right out of the box, while Borden struggles to make ends meet. But, when Borden develops the ultimate trick, Angier becomes obsessed with duplicating it – and besting it by whatever means possible.

Yes, this is "the other" magician movie that came out at right around the same time as "The Illusionist." I found "The Prestige" to be much darker, but more intriguing and complicated. Just when you think you have it figured out, it takes another left turn. There were a few things in this film that didn't totally cut it for me, but not many (the main one being Scarlett Johansson's fake British accent, ug). It's rated PG-13, for violence and disturbing images (including a bullet-catching trick that goes very wrong and a couple of upsetting things that happen to little birds), so be forewarned.

I recommend it.