This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.
Are you watching closely?
And so begins The Prestige, Christopher Nolan's masterpiece. Now, the man has made a few rather good movies so this as a claim is remarkable, but nevertheless warranted. Why?
After we're told to watch closely we're explained how a magic trick works. The pledge, the turn and the prestige. Show the audience something and make it seem entirely ordinary. Do something extraordinary. Reset things to the new state you desire; different to before, having undergone remarkable…
There is not much to be said about this movie. Arguably the first in the finest trilogy ever (an argument I often have with myself), it's just perfect. Charm, wit, excitement, Oedipus complex, flux capacitors and 1.21 jigawatts.
What we do in life...echoes in eternity. Remember that and when the world of Elysium comes calling you will smile.
This film is still utterly fantastic. The Gladiatorial battles are visceral today. Hans Zimmer's score shows clearly the basis for Pirates' score a few years later. Crowe as Maximus is amazing. Phoenix plays Commodus' insane Emperor so well.
