Prestige: Die Meister der Magie (2006)

Prestige: Die Meister der Magie: Directed by Christopher Nolan. With Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo. After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.

“I wonu0026#39;t say itu0026#39;s an underrated movie, but it has somewhat been buried by the legacy of other u0026quot;popularu0026quot; Nolan movies. With this movie, Nolan shows his ability to make a metacinematic film, yet again. This is obviously my most favorite Christopher Nolan movie, along with u0026quot;Mementou0026quot; (2000). Just like you can relate the theme of memories and interpretations shown in the story of u0026quot;Mementou0026quot; with the actual experience we had while watching the movie, we can relate the three acts of a magic trick narrated within the story with the movie itself. As the movie says, the final reveal in a magic trick is the most thrilling experience. So is that of this movie. In fact, the whole movie can be weirdly related to a magic trick. It is one of those movies which feel quite ordinary until a major twist makes it great. Speaking of the cinematic experience, it is a typical Nolan styled movie. It has broken timelines to enhance the storytelling, but unlike in most of his movies these are done more artistically than just for the thrilling reveal. This is perhaps the movie where Nolanu0026#39;s broken timelines have enhanced the storytelling in the most brilliant way. Like in most of movies, he dwells in a single theme – here itu0026#39;s obsession. The obsession of Robert Angier is what drives the plot of the movie, and is well established and doesnu0026#39;t even feel forced. There is a protagonist, and an antagonist in this movie. The character development is done so smoothly that we see the protagonist become an antagonist, while the antagonist remains somewhat the same. Though we donu0026#39;t get a full u0026quot;interchangeu0026quot; between the antagonist and the protagonist, as the movie progresses, the protagonist feels more u0026quot;wrongu0026quot; than the antagonist. Thatu0026#39;s quite a difficult thing that it pulls off. Alfred Bordon is one of the most u0026quot;complexu0026quot; characters I have ever seen. He feels like some kind of a prick throughout the movie, and there are a lot of scenes to establish it for the viewers. Thatu0026#39;s until we get to know his character in the third act. It doesnu0026#39;t make him right for his wrong doings, but he gets the respect for his dedication as a magician. The whole Tesla plotline might feel like a convenient plot device, but Tesla is a scientist who is rumoured to travel through time. So, that is quite justifiable. Hugh Jackman has given a solid performance. This must go down as his best performances with those of u0026quot;Prisonersu0026quot; (2013) and u0026quot;Loganu0026quot; (2017). He is completely out of his public persona of Wolverine. He is the best possible choice for Wolverine imo, but reminder of Wolverine every time he appears on screen isnu0026#39;t so adorable. He didnu0026#39;t remind me of Wolverine at all, in this movie. But, the major highlight of the movie would be Christian Bale. He has given a terrific performance. You donu0026#39;t even get a hint at the complexity of the character he is portraying. Itu0026#39;s after the reveal and in fact, in the second viewing that you start noticing the actual stuffs and the actual interpretations a particular scene is to be given. All in all, itu0026#39;s a fantastic movie. The way obsession play out to be the main theme, the way broken timelines are used for storytelling and the way the final twist is revealed – simply excellent. It gets a special u0026quot;10/10u0026quot; and an u0026quot;A+u0026quot;.”