The Prestige

[Barguast]

I saw this film last weekend and I'm still unsure whether or not I should be shouting about it.

 

The film follows two rival magicians as they continually attempt to upstage each others' acts through ever more elaborate (and often violent) means. The magicians are played by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. Bale is as wooden as ever.

 

For the most part, I found the film to be quite engrossing (if a little slow) but the ending, I thought, was utterly ridiculous and somewhat ruined the film (specifically, I am referring to Nikola Tesla inventing a duplication machine). However, a few other people I know have said that they thought the ending was great. Inventive even.

 

So I don't know. Anyone else seen the film and care to comment? Spoiler tags where necessary, please.

[Forty]

I haven't seen the film but I don't mind having it ruined. I assume that when Tesla makes the duplication machine, either Bale or Jackman's character uses it to live again after a trick he does kills him? Or, you know, something along those lines...That sounds retarded. I hate movies that have a "twist" ending that is really just some made-up nonsense that doesn't fit with the story. I prefer twist endings that fit into logical progression with the film. Gothika was another one like that.

[Otter]

That twist is one of many, and is introduced about halfway through the second act - so don't worry, it doesn't spoil the film.

 

[Barguast]

I haven't seen the film but I don't mind having it ruined. I assume that when Tesla makes the duplication machine, either Bale or Jackman's character uses it to live again after a trick he does kills him? Or, you know, something along those lines...That sounds retarded.

Doesn't it just? You're not far off, actually.

 

The film begins with Bale being arrested for murdering Jackman by booby-trapping one of his tricks. Of course, it turns out that it was only a duplicate that he saw killed and Jackman was actually framing Bale for his own murder.

 

As if the whole duplication machine scenario wasn't ridiculous enough.

 

That's not even the end of the film though, as Otter said there are more towards the end. I love it when a film doesn't have the usual predictable endings but not when they go to extreme lengths to do so. It seemed to me that this film was supposed to be about rival magicians and up until the 'unveiling' it all seemed very realistic and believable. So why it was necessary to tag on such a ridiculous twist is lost on me...

 

It's like AI's wish-granting aliens all over again.

[JoeyLeone25]

It was a Nolan typical Momento ending and I f*cking loved it. Jackman, Caine and Bale all gave brilliant performances and I loved the way they hit you with about five twists near the end of the film.

 

Also I'm a massive fan of magic in general...

[papanesta]

Agreed.

 

I loved how, close to the end, Angier talks about not knowing whether he'd be receaving the applause, or drowning.

[Jay]

Would have been much more interersting if they cut and dashed before revealing everything at the end. Give those who understood the entire movie till the end some credit and leave the ending open to the imagination.

 

@Forty: That is scarifyingly close to what happens.

 

@Joey: Memento is my single most favouritest movie.

Edited December 16, 2006 by Jayzamann