The Prestige

6

MaxPayneIsGodJul 7, 2020

A story of obsession and revenge told in an unconventional way.
It has the twists and turns you come to expect from Nolan.
Not Jackman or Bale's best work by a long shot, in many instances they both appear to be trying too hard.

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6

MovieManiac83Apr 23, 2015

Watching The Prestige is like observing a magic act where the magician's sleight-of-hand isn't deft enough. The trick almost works, but not quite… With its mechanical twists and turns and lack of heart, the movie often resembles Sleuth inWatching The Prestige is like observing a magic act where the magician's sleight-of-hand isn't deft enough. The trick almost works, but not quite… With its mechanical twists and turns and lack of heart, the movie often resembles Sleuth in superficial ways, except The Prestige resorts to cheating while Sleuth relied on cunning and guile. As is too often the case with narratives that try to be oblique to the end, the film's climax is strangely predictable. The Prestige goes to a great deal of trouble - including a triple time-line - to protect secrets that aren't all that surprising or hard to guess.

With a pedigree as splendid as the one behind The Prestige, the movie's inability to captivate consistently must be considered a disappointment. In the sweepstakes for best 2006 movie about conjurors performing circa 1900, The Illusionist is a few steps ahead of The Prestige. While one could argue that both films telegraph their third-act surprises, The Illusionist is less ponderous and more enjoyable. There are times when The Prestige bogs down and the needlessly convoluted way in which director Christopher Nolan elects to present the story doesn't help. Maybe he was looking for inspiration from his brilliant non-linear Memento.

The Prestige is too well made to be considered "bad," but it fails to deliver in ways that will earn it more shrugs than raves. There's nothing wrong on the acting front: headliners Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are at the tops of their games as rival magicians caught in the grip of an obsession to defeat one another. Michael Caine is delightful in a supporting role. Scarlett Johansson is wasted playing another love interest - a part with which she is gaining too much familiarity. Rebecca Hall plays a similar role but does it better. There's also a bit of stunt casting, with David Bowie playing real life scientist Nikola Tesla.

The narrative eventually missteps by taking a wrong turn down a road that leads into science fiction. For a period piece that is so meticulously detailed, this is an odd way to go, and in a way it seems to be a betrayal of all that has gone before. Its integration is awkward and it alters the suspension of disbelief curve (not for the better). Even buying this premise is not guaranteed to open the gates to unfettered enjoyment. As is often true of movies about revenge and obsession, The Prestige is cold, and Nolan crafts a storyline that is more complicated than necessary. If his goal is to make things seem more profound or to obscure what's around the next curve in the plot, he is not entirely successful. As for the explanation at the end…yes, it's one of those instances in which a guy holding a gun provides a blow-by-blow account more for the benefit of the audience than the other character.

Those hoping to gain insight into how magicians work won't find a lot of help here. The details of a few tricks are revealed, but they're filled with cheats that can be found only in movies or literature. The title is explained as being one of three steps in a trick: the pledge, the turn, and the prestige. Oddly, it's that third act, the prestige, where this film is found lacking. There's plenty going on but never any real magic.… Expand

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6

BroyaxJan 3, 2020

Un face-à-face et une compétition acharnée entre deux prestidigitateurs concurrents (que c'est difficile à dire et à écrire ce mot, presque autant que leurs tours de passe-passe !) incarnés par deux acteurs réputés et à la hauteur des enjeuxUn face-à-face et une compétition acharnée entre deux prestidigitateurs concurrents (que c'est difficile à dire et à écrire ce mot, presque autant que leurs tours de passe-passe !) incarnés par deux acteurs réputés et à la hauteur des enjeux décrits ici. A noter soit dit en passant l'étonnante prestation de David Bowie... en Nikola Tesla !

L'atmosphère de fin du 19ème siècle est très bien retranscrite, cette époque où les découvertes scientifiques majeures emballaient les foules et les esprits... et dans ce malstrom, des vrais (?) "magiciens" et leurs tours de "magie"... toujours plus audacieux !

Le scénario comme cela peut arriver un peu trop souvent dans les films de Nolan, abuse certainement des tours de passe-passe plus qu'à son tour : retournements de situation répétés et multiples jusqu'à... la toute dernière image et si on aime être surpris et si on ne s'ennuie pas le moins du monde, les couleuvres que Nolan veut nous faire gober (on se croirait à un concours de flanby) sont un peu trop abusées...

La réalisation est dans l'ensemble de bonne facture mais pas au dessus de tout soupçon : légère tendance au montage cut et une aversion étrange pour la steadycam à ce qu'il semble... heureusement, il ne s'agit pas d'un film d'action.

Le plus discutable reste évidemment l'intervention de Tesla -le génie de la fée électricité- dont les zones d'ombre et la légende justifient selon Nolan tout et surtout... n'importe quoi. Le film perd du coup sa vraisemblance et son fragile équilibre en suspension au dessus du gouffre de l'incrédulité. Ce qui ne rend pas le film mauvais, loin de là même, mais nuit grandement à sa cohérence qui vole en éclats... Dommage donc, car ici les yeux ont été, je crois, plus gros que le ventre : à vouloir trop en faire... on en fait... vraiment trop.… Expand

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6

FilipeNetoJun 29, 2018

This film addresses the intense rivalry between two illusionists who try to overcome and injure each other after a serious and fatal accident in a joint show. It's a story of unbridled rivalry, revenge, pride and vanity. The film has manyThis film addresses the intense rivalry between two illusionists who try to overcome and injure each other after a serious and fatal accident in a joint show. It's a story of unbridled rivalry, revenge, pride and vanity. The film has many merits but the main one is the script, the story that tells us. There are some more predictable parts, others seem initially incomprehensible until the movie explains everything. The ending is one of the most positive aspects as it's totally unexpected and, in fact, makes everything else worthwhile. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman played the main characters, working very well together and showing us the best of each other. They are brilliantly aided by veteran Michael Caine and by Scarlett Johansson. David Bowie is a surprise, but was quite reasonable in the role of the famous physicist Tesla. In fact, the whole cast did a good job and met expectations, at times when it failed to shine. However, the great problem of this film is precisely the characters. They are detestable, especially the magicians. No one was able to deserve my sympathy and, deep down, I was glad to see both of them being punished for their wickedness. Caine, in his character, mirrored this repulsion very well at certain scenes. And while Tesla's machine allowed a good increment to the story, the way it was done was so far-fetched that it spoiled the movie a bit, too. Anyway, it's a good movie with a very interesting story, fulfilling well its mission to entertain and surprise the public.… Expand

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6

PauloReviewsMar 15, 2019

Decent film, with a couple of great performances (especially from Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) and an intriguing setup. Although I do appreciate the nonlinear narrative structure - seen in most of Christopher Nolan's movies - I felt asDecent film, with a couple of great performances (especially from Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) and an intriguing setup. Although I do appreciate the nonlinear narrative structure - seen in most of Christopher Nolan's movies - I felt as though there was a lack of a resounding punch when this movie ended. This mostly has to due with the inclusion of music in many scenes, like situations where characters were arguing. I would have appreciated if they hadn't used any sounds other than the dialogue and background noise, as it diminishes my emotional response to those particular scenes. Not only that, but "The Prestige" moves from scene to scene in a very abrupt and rushed manner, which sometimes doesn't give the audience time to assess what's going on.

I loved the many themes played throughout this film and I enjoy the twist at the end. A little bit too expository for my taste, but great ending nonetheless.

Overall, even if I have some issues with "The Prestige" that prevents me from giving it a higher score, I honestly think it's a very enjoyable experience and if you appreciate Nolan's work - like I do - you will have a good time watching this.

6/10.… Expand

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6

MahmusSep 30, 2020

The Prestige has two great lead performances and an interesting story, which mostly keep it from succumbing to the ridiculousness of its many twists.

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5

RayHNov 27, 2006

This movie was all around a pretty good movie. It was extremely dark, and some of the scenes were a bit disturbing. The plot kind of rambled on to make this movie way too long. An hour and a half would have been alot better. The twists in This movie was all around a pretty good movie. It was extremely dark, and some of the scenes were a bit disturbing. The plot kind of rambled on to make this movie way too long. An hour and a half would have been alot better. The twists in this movie are confusing and it makes you think too hard.The movie did have some cool things in it and has a very surprising ending. It was not the best movies I've ever seen, but it was good enough to keep me from leaving the theater for as long as it did. So it must have done something right.… Expand

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5

M.M.Oct 22, 2006

I felt it was a 'nice' movie. Shot and acted well but nothing in the plot or story to really get excited about or have any 'wow' moments. Average. I enjoyed 'The Illusionist' a lot more. Eh.

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5

JoeA.Apr 22, 2007

Like Memento, a very tightly crafted piece of film-making. Like Memento, you spend the movie wondering which character to dislike the least.

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5

IPNov 4, 2006

Very disapointing. I loved Memento and was really looking forward to this but... way overrated. The movie was set up pretty well, it kept me interested through the twists bu then an hour before the end Nolan introduces something supernatural Very disapointing. I loved Memento and was really looking forward to this but... way overrated. The movie was set up pretty well, it kept me interested through the twists bu then an hour before the end Nolan introduces something supernatural that explains everything. Once we see this, the climax becomes predictable from a mile away. Then when you think about what happened, there are a million holes in the story. It's too bad, hopefully the next Nolan movie will be more of Memento quality.… Expand

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5

gpOct 23, 2006

It had the actors and twisting plot to keep you interested, but the ending was such a copout that you just feel cheated. Weak.

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5

JamesSOct 24, 2006

Stylish and definitely cool-with the great performances- the movie breaks some of the golden rules of story-telling- not only do you not root for either main character, the entire story is based on illusion- or more plainly put- lies. Stylish and definitely cool-with the great performances- the movie breaks some of the golden rules of story-telling- not only do you not root for either main character, the entire story is based on illusion- or more plainly put- lies. [***SPOILERS***] The ending goes beyond far-fetched- and to such lengths to deceive- it… Expand

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5

MaxS.Nov 27, 2006

The movie went on for way too long and the ending was entirely too jumbled up. It should have ended a lot sooner than it did. I was not endeared to any of the characters, however, the magic tricks shown were interesting and made it The movie went on for way too long and the ending was entirely too jumbled up. It should have ended a lot sooner than it did. I was not endeared to any of the characters, however, the magic tricks shown were interesting and made it entertaining enough.… Expand

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5

Ali_MarashianMar 13, 2017

The thing about Nolan movies is that, they confuse you, and when you finally understand them, you suddenly realise it wasn't worth it. The plot just tries to look important, to look elagant, to look mysterious. Another thing about this movieThe thing about Nolan movies is that, they confuse you, and when you finally understand them, you suddenly realise it wasn't worth it. The plot just tries to look important, to look elagant, to look mysterious. Another thing about this movie is the endless score on the film, the characters are talking and music is playing, I mean I cant her them talking, stop the damn music. I dont know how people love this movie, they call it a masterwork, from Nolan, who I consider one of the most overrated film makers today.… Expand

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5

DrekinnFeb 28, 2017

The only trickery portrayed in this movie is Nolan's misdirection of scraping the thinnest of mind-numbing plots over a tiring length of two hours. High profile actors with hokey British accents – as well as David Bowie seemingly channelingThe only trickery portrayed in this movie is Nolan's misdirection of scraping the thinnest of mind-numbing plots over a tiring length of two hours. High profile actors with hokey British accents – as well as David Bowie seemingly channeling Pierce Brosnan – aren't enough to disguise an embarrassingly tedious storyline: one that you wish, before even intermission, would simply vanish.… Expand

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4

ArnoldD.Nov 5, 2006

No quest for prestige but an obsessional orientation born of an ultimate quest for power. The dynamic clear in that the intent , the quest for power, is born of the denial of death. The quest is clear, the movie , boring .

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4

AiJOct 24, 2006

Let me start off by saying that Chris Nolan is a very skilled director who handles cinematic structure better than most directors around today. I am a great admirer of Memento and Batman Begins and Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman give good Let me start off by saying that Chris Nolan is a very skilled director who handles cinematic structure better than most directors around today. I am a great admirer of Memento and Batman Begins and Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman give good performances in this picture. Now if anyone at the beginning of a movie says, "Are you watching closely" as they pan the camera across hundreds of top hats on the ground in the woods, then You Watch Closely! Once I saw the hats again, I had figured out that [***SPOILERS***] Danton was duplicating himself and that Borden did not kill him, but killed his reasonable facsimile. Also, when we see Fallon, Borden's engineer and right hand man, we know that he's obviously, Christian Bale in make up, false hair and glasses. This is the problem with Hollywood filmmaking: audiences are so used to seeing characters in medium shots and close-ups that we start to wonder why a character isn't shot that way and it sends up a red flag. Also, I had to wonder why Fallon was the exact same height as Borden when Michael Caine's character says that Borden is using a double to perform the transporting man illusion. Now, at this point, the conclusion-- or the "prestige" of the transporting man trick and the film itself-- seems rather obvious. I'm not the most intelligent man but I've seen a few films and when the solution to a mystery is so obvious, we all have to wonder, "How it is really going to end?" Or we think, "That ending is so simple, it can't be the true, so I'll go along for the ride". The Prestige manages to reveal the ending halfway through the movie and has no "twist" to make anyone feel that the last hour and 30 minutes was worth sitting through! This movie was "Secret Window" all over again except with better direction. And why didn't they cast Piper Perabo in Scarlett Johansson's role? When are we going to get a non-wooden performance from Scarlett? Is it because she is the cause for so much wood from the men in the audience? Sure she's great to look at but come on! Someone should punch her in the face already.… Expand

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4

BrettKOct 28, 2006

Too long and too predictable. They give away the ending long before the movie is over. Thus, you have to sit and watch over a half an hour of pointless dialogue and plot "twists" for nothing, as it's already been made obvious how the Too long and too predictable. They give away the ending long before the movie is over. Thus, you have to sit and watch over a half an hour of pointless dialogue and plot "twists" for nothing, as it's already been made obvious how the movie will end. Both of the magicians are horrible people, so who cares who wins or loses, lives or dies. A disappointment.… Expand

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4

SchuylerC.Mar 12, 2007

A lot of big names but it was very slow moving, I couldn't pay attention to it I must have zoned out for half the movie. It didn't get interesting until they started replicating cats. The plot didn't make much sense I felt A lot of big names but it was very slow moving, I couldn't pay attention to it I must have zoned out for half the movie. It didn't get interesting until they started replicating cats. The plot didn't make much sense I felt like I was high or something and I haven't used drugs in years. Two horrible performing magic rivals who keep killing their stage hand girl friends with the same stupid trick, then one is trying to figure out the others secret while he is funding a scientific experiment that replicates and makes things disappear. Why would he even care about anything else. That was basically the highlight of the movie the sci fi element if I had something like that I would create a lot of romantic love slaves of anyone I wanted then disappear.… Expand

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4

AkashVijayJan 19, 2015

The Prestige revolves around 2 magicians who initially be-friend one another but due to an unfortunate event that triggers the worst in both men, they become archrivals. It's rushed but works. The entire film focuses on the attempts of theseThe Prestige revolves around 2 magicians who initially be-friend one another but due to an unfortunate event that triggers the worst in both men, they become archrivals. It's rushed but works. The entire film focuses on the attempts of these 2 men to outclass one another and how they end up bringing great pain to themselves. The Premise is quite basic but Nolan juggles multiple story lines and muddles it in a way that makes it not so easy to follow. This movie is more of a puzzle than a meaningful film. It keeps playing tricks on you but once the novelty wears off, it's easy to see, it's too smart for its own good. The more tricks it plays on you, the more you raise your eyebrow and go, "Hmm, did he need to do that?" because most of these stunts don't contribute too much. In a movie that's so cold at its core, you can't be emotionally invested and these tricks turn frustrating, even annoying. But the 3rd Act is what really killed it for me. The Prestige builds up a lot of suspense in the first 2 Acts and the answer it provides at the end is-"Magic"- and that was so unsatisfying to me. Another major problem I had with it was that in this cold-hearted rivalry between these 2 despicable men, Nolan actually does reveal a winner, which was again very unnecessary. Through the film I thought it was trying to convey, "if you fixate yourself on bringing pain to someone else you end up hurting yourself". But the ending threw that right out of the window.
The Prestige is defined as the final act of a magic trick that instills fascination; ironically, it's the prestige of this film that let it down. Well the Prestige isn't art but it's still fun to watch; at least the first time.… Expand

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4

Pedram00Jan 2, 2016

i think in the nolan`s films that was the worst movie because he didnt pay attention to cinematic rules to make the film unpredictable. but you watch balance between this two properties in the interstellar movie and dark knight. but i thinki think in the nolan`s films that was the worst movie because he didnt pay attention to cinematic rules to make the film unpredictable. but you watch balance between this two properties in the interstellar movie and dark knight. but i think nolan made that movie to say that> but he did it awful and made a boring film with boring unpredictable parts.
thanks
P.SH.Z… Expand

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3

PaulM.Nov 10, 2006

A cold film full of tricks not real characters. The twists (especially the main one) visible a mile off. A trite ending concluded a disappointing piece.

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3

mbDec 30, 2006

Ultimately bleak and depressing.

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3

BillRNov 23, 2008

Dissappointing. This film had some great elements that could have lead to a fantastic film, but it falls flat. The "tadaa" moment is explained away with some ridiculous science fiction. If the true "Secret" of the big trick is some sort of Dissappointing. This film had some great elements that could have lead to a fantastic film, but it falls flat. The "tadaa" moment is explained away with some ridiculous science fiction. If the true "Secret" of the big trick is some sort of science fiction mumbo jumbo, then why does the film try to be true at all to the art and skill of the magicians up to that point? If you are going to allow sci-fi fantasy to come in at the end, then what is the point of the rest of the "how does it work?" plot elements. The film cheats on the very craft it touts to be about.... Aweful.… Expand

1 of 12 users found this helpful

3

obiwan1947Jun 1, 2017

The biggest surprise of the movie is how anyone can have one of the sexiest actresses in the Western world (ScarJo) and so under-use her in favor of a plot which filled me with utter disinterest at the climax. By the end I couldn't care lessThe biggest surprise of the movie is how anyone can have one of the sexiest actresses in the Western world (ScarJo) and so under-use her in favor of a plot which filled me with utter disinterest at the climax. By the end I couldn't care less which character's dead and which is alive.… Expand

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3

KenRJan 6, 2021

Such a fuss has been made of this movie that I expected something out-of-the-box, and for anyone willing to believe the unbelievable it might even seem so. It’s another example of how moviegoers and makers have embraced the format of ‘StyleSuch a fuss has been made of this movie that I expected something out-of-the-box, and for anyone willing to believe the unbelievable it might even seem so. It’s another example of how moviegoers and makers have embraced the format of ‘Style over Substance’. Everything about the story is so far-fetched and unbelievable that most of the time it’s simply not worth even considering the outcomes. It’s presented as if its fiction-fact, then swings into ridiculous science-fiction; Human Cloning in the 1890s! (and regularly overnight at that) If it weren’t for some reasonably convincing performances from the leads, stylish art direction and production design, moody lighting and cinematography (except for some unsteady hand–held sections) this production would have fallen over in a heap. As it is, it holds it's own based on stylish looks smothered in over-done smoke and mirrors camouflage. Many seem to go for this style and bluster but some will come away feeling cheated and taken for fools (and not in any sort of a good way), it doesn’t do to think too much about this type of basically too clever for its own good writing. Characters are bleak and over-the-top nasty, not leaving much (if anything) to admire.… Expand

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2

GaborA.Oct 22, 2006

Atrocious. Nolan is wading in Shyamalan territory with his dissapointing new release. Apart from an uninvolving and senseless plot its just a terrible script. There's probably 4 real scenes in this movie and then hundreds of montages, Atrocious. Nolan is wading in Shyamalan territory with his dissapointing new release. Apart from an uninvolving and senseless plot its just a terrible script. There's probably 4 real scenes in this movie and then hundreds of montages, flashbacks, series of shots, and just general cuts all over the place.… Expand

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0

AlexB.Oct 21, 2006

Boring, predictable, terrible characters, slow, pointless. How could ANYONE like this pile?

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0

emirbudDec 8, 2013

I am outraged that this movie received a single, let alone 447 positive reviews. I cannot use foul language here, as much as I feel the urge, so I will just say this: shame on all of those who gave this movie a positive review, regardless ofI am outraged that this movie received a single, let alone 447 positive reviews. I cannot use foul language here, as much as I feel the urge, so I will just say this: shame on all of those who gave this movie a positive review, regardless of whether they did it because they are stupid or just because they are liars. I can't afford to waste two hours like this anymore, and I would like a warning before I see a dumb plotted, predictable piece of excrement like this one here. Who could have imagined that one guy had a twin brother, and that true magic would come about produced by none other than Nikola Tesla?! And the lead characters' motives, ridiculous. At first he hates him because he caused his wife's death, but then he couldn't care less any more about his wife, he just wants to ruin his act and steal his lousy tricks. The other guy reciprocates wholeheartedly. If you wondering who he is and who the other he is, you weren't paying attention. It's completely unimportant. Who cares. It just an awful, awful, aaaawful movie. If you haven't seen it, I envy you. Stay away!!!… Expand

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The Prestige

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