What’s it about?
Do you believe in magic? You might not after watching this taut, moody drama. Two magicians fight it out to be the master of illusion, after one ‘accidentally’ causes the death of the other’s wife, sparking a bitter lifelong rivalry with tragic consequences.
Highs n lows
This dark look at the art of stage magic and the extremes of human failings, is made even moodier by the turn of the century London setting, and exceptionally believable performances by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as the obsessive tricksters Robert and Alfred. Michael Caine is excellent as the stalwart props man Cutter who tries to keep their rivalry at bay, whilst the plot leaves you guessing as it reels you in to its dark web and spits you out at the end stunned.
Perhaps deliberately like life, the ending is quite unsatisfying. I don’t like to think I’ve bought into the Hollywood practice of neat happy endings, but this felt too tragic and unfair for me – but then maybe that’s because I doubt I’d be prepared to pay that kind of price for the Prestige…
Is it any good?
3 out of 5
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