Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved appreciation of Hugh Jackman. Ever since his rise towards fame in the 1990’s, Jackman has proven to be an Australian icon. Whether it is frustrated fathers, competitive magicians or scandalous teachers, Jackman has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Jackman’s finest strength as an actor has often been his powerful commitment to his craft. He is one of rare actors that has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Jackman has always left an indelible impression. Although he is best known for his bold role as the Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, Jackman has proven that he has an ability to thrive in every genre. Throughout his enduring career, Jackman has made countless memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Jackman and admire all the movies he has created in his career. However, “The Prestige” is my favourite. Released back in 2006, Christopher Nolan’s movie offered an engrossing portrait of magicians. Packed with strong production design, riveting storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about magicians. At centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Hugh Jackman, who embodies a competitive magician with a strong dedication. Ultimately, what makes “The Prestige” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Despite its focus on lives of magicians in the 19th Century, it themes are relevant toward the world today. A captivating masterpiece about magicians, there are many reasons why “The Prestige” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Set in Victorian England, “The Prestige” tells a story of two magicians that engage in intense rivalries with prestige. Hugh Jackman portrays Robert Angier, a gifted magician that has often had talents for pulling off acts with dedication. Assisted by longtime assistant Cutter (Michael Caine), Angier has often thrived orchestrating magic tricks that entertain. However, Angier’s life forever changed when he becomes target of a rivalrous magician causing disaster. Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) is a powerful magician with a strong drive to succeed in a competitive profession. As the two magicians come head to head in stressful rivalry, they soon begin to question whether it’s truly possible to turn their dreams into reality. Under siege, Angier soon questions whether it’s possible for him to be a successful magician in his profession attaining prestige.
Christopher Nolan is fascinated with themes of magicians. A legendary filmmaker, Nolan has often created engaging movies about rivalries causing disaster. His films are often defined by stunning special effects, engaging storytelling and bold acting. With “The Prestige”, however, Nolan created his first ever period piece. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of magicians in Victorian England but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Nolan captures magicians that embark upon a perilous journey to fight in rivalry. Inspired with David Lynch’s “The Elephant Man”, Nolan uses point of view shots to capture hardships which magicians go through. For instance, POV shots elevate the magician’s trick scene. During this tense scene, Angier seeks to pull off a complex magic trick causing tension. Through powerful POV shots, Nolan captures the hardships that magicians go through. POV shots are tricky to use in films. Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” did prove that POV shots enhance murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Nolan captures the tensions that magicians are often facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Prestige” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Nolan successfully uses costumes to capture the journey of a magician engaging in rivalry. Throughout the film, Angiers’ strong costumes showcase his transformation into a beloved magician. For instance, the costumes enhance the rivalry scene. During this intense scene, Angier and Borden engage in a rivalry competition during a theatrical show. Through stunning costumes, Nolan creates a portrait of magicians which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is extraordinary. David Julyan’s commemorated music is key to success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden which magicians engaging in rivalries bear. Through captivating production, Nolan captures the lives of commemorated magicians facing competitive professional tension.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The Prestige” is a film about magicians which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture magicians that are compelling. Nolan’s finest strength as a screenwriter is ability to capture tensions magicians are facing through strong symbolism. Throughout the film, the hat is an important symbol which showcases Angier’s talent for magic. For instance, the symbolism enhances the final theatre act scene. During this intense scene, Angiers performs his final magic trick involving tension. Through strong symbolism, Nolan creates a magician which audiences can easily relate to. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in most movies. James Mangold’s “Logan” suggested that symbolism enhances comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a captivating screenplay, Nolan conveys commemorated magicians enduring price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Hugh Jackman delivers one of his best career performances as Robert Angier. Jackman first achieved appreciation for playing superheroes sporting claws in comic-book films. With “The Prestige”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray a magician which engages in intense rivalry, but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With strong expressions, he captures the angst, grief and competitive streak of a strong magician facing tensions. Jackman often excels at portraying heroes under pressure, and “The Prestige” is a showcase for him as an actor It’s an excellent performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Hugh Jackman, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Christian Bale is brilliant, bringing detail to a magician with a strong drive to succeed rather than fail. Michael Caine is captivating, capturing pain of a butler seeking to assist a master with magic tricks with complexity which entertain. Lastly, Scarlett Johansson merits appreciation. As a magical woman, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Prestige” would earn recognition of everyone for capturing lives of commemorated magicians with prestige. Unlike most films about iconic magicians, the film tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including competition, mental health and trauma which would definitely resonate amongst everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with magic to appreciate it. It delivers a powerful message about competition which would definitely resonate amongs everyone. Therefore, “The Prestige” is one of those rare commemorated films about the lives of magicians everyone would adore.
Fans of Hugh Jackman would definitely enjoy “The Prestige” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating period piece about magic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about courageous magicians seeking to pull off a magic trick that’s prestigious, it’s a powerful reminder about a commemorated actor that has earned a huge fan following for his abilities to portray adventurous characters in memorable movies audiences consider precious.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 