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Monday, November 13, 2006

The Prestige.

I remember very well when I first saw Memento in the cinema... This feeling, at the end, this deep satisfaction to have seen a movie that's entertaining, that was so stimulating for your brain and that was so beautifully executed...
I mean, that's why I go to the cinema. To get this sense of wonder... It's magic.

Well Christopher Nolan is back to work with his brother (as he did for Memento), adapting a script from a Christopher Priest novel (of the same title).
And they took the "magic" part quite litterally as it describes the rivalry between 2 magicians trying to steal each other's secrets.

The problem about writing about this movie is that you can't write about it... You can't tell the story. It would spoil it all.
This is the type of movie that entirely revolves around its plot and characters. No funky camera gimmicks here, mainly handheld camera, everything is done just to keep the audience at character level and set the eerie atmosphere of this Victoian era set story.
But aside from its main plot, with the development of its characters, it also manages to be a lot deeper than just your average rollercoaster (like Memento).
It's about secrets, obsessions, rivalry, love, revenge, tricks... How all this (especially obsession) can destroy a person.
But who's tricking who?

The story is a masterclass in storytelling, making you follow multiple flashbacks and flashforwards without ever being too confusing. It basically works like a magic trick. You're being misled all along, always on your toes, being thrown from one feeling to another towards the different characters, never able to know what to expect, trying to get a trick that you'll only if the director lets you...
It's genius.

Obviously that wouldn't stand if the cast wasn't on par. Well let me reassure you, it is. Hugh Jackman & Christian Bale are simply amazing, delivering very nuanced performances, never all dark or all too clear. The 2nd roles are also examplary (but wo would doubt Michael Caine?).

It definitely feels like this is Christopher Nolan's element. Twisted tales of tortured people. With this kind of quality, he can make as many as he likes!

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