‘The Prestige‘ directed by Christopher Nolan has gained considerable popularity with audiences here in Britain and from what I hear from friends, in the US theatres too.
The movie is well paced with the two main protaganists focussed on staying ahead in their race for professional supremacy. Though we find the heroes Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale),both professional magicians pre occupied with one another’s points in the game almost throughout the length of the movie with one another’s points in the game, it thankfully does not all become a dry and violent movie. Still some critics have labelled it ‘dry and lacking in emotions’. This might probably be because director Nolan has chosen to relegate the romance factor a little to the background with the normally sizzling Scarlett Johansson playing a somewhat dull character, Olivia Wenscombe who is stage assistant/ opportunistic mistress to both rivals. She does not get to display her talent for subtle yet powerful performances that she has come to be loved for. On the other hand, Oscar winning veteran actor Sir Michael Caine gets to play a sizeable role as ‘Cutter’ the godfather/ friend to Rupert Angier.
All in all, for those of you who love atmospheric eighteenth century-style mysteries, ‘The Prestige’ will provide good fun - so don’t miss it!!.
