The Prestige (2006) ****
The Prestige (2006) is my favorite Christopher Nolan film, edging out Memento (2000) by just a hair. When I made my Top 10 Films Of 2006 list, The Prestige topped it. Upon a reassessment, I'd place both The Proposition and The New World (2005) (released wide in the States in January 2006) above it. But I still love Nolan's rival magicians movie.
I appreciate Nolan as a filmmaker but I've never been head over heels for him. This film and Memento are the closest I come to "fanboying" over him. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman both give very charismatic and engaging performances. Rebecca Hall isn't given enough screen time, in my opinion, but she's very good when she is on screen. As to Scarlett Johansson, neither her acting nor her role are anything special, which is fine, as her character is the attractive assistant—intentionally designed to distract the audience.
The Prestige holds up well on revisits, even if I did deduct a 1/2 star from my previous rating. I always seem to forget some small detail about the plot so it feels simultaneously like a new and familiar experience each time I watch it (the last time was three years ago). The film itself is presented like a magic trick—a diversion. It's complex and simple at the same time. It's clever but not too clever for its own good, winking a bit at the audience at the end—something I like only if it's done right.
You can find my Christopher Nolan Feature Films Ranked list here.
I appreciate Nolan as a filmmaker but I've never been head over heels for him. This film and Memento are the closest I come to "fanboying" over him. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman both give very charismatic and engaging performances. Rebecca Hall isn't given enough screen time, in my opinion, but she's very good when she is on screen. As to Scarlett Johansson, neither her acting nor her role are anything special, which is fine, as her character is the attractive assistant—intentionally designed to distract the audience.
The Prestige holds up well on revisits, even if I did deduct a 1/2 star from my previous rating. I always seem to forget some small detail about the plot so it feels simultaneously like a new and familiar experience each time I watch it (the last time was three years ago). The film itself is presented like a magic trick—a diversion. It's complex and simple at the same time. It's clever but not too clever for its own good, winking a bit at the audience at the end—something I like only if it's done right.
You can find my Christopher Nolan Feature Films Ranked list here.
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