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Written by: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan (screenplay), Christopher Priest (novel)
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Rebecca Hall, David Bowie, Andy Serkis
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer
Plot
After a tragic accident, two stage magicians in 1890s London engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.
Verdict
This is such an incredible experience. This weaves a tale of two feuding magicians trying to one up each other, but they become obsessive and end up destroying their lives. At the core of this movie is the how of this trick. We're wondering how it's done just like some of the characters. Just like a great magic trick, it's the reveal that completely blows you away. This is all about misdirection, and watching this a second time is nearly as fun as the first time. The second time around, you're looking at this differently. It's like the movie tells us, we want to be fooled.
Watch It.
Review
I watched this years ago, it's one of those movies you need to see. It's certainly worth a second watch as you notice a few clues that seemed innocuous when you didn't know the reveal at the end. I was continually surprised at how many Easter eggs this drops.
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| Christian Bale plays Alfred Borden |
The movie constantly jumps back and forth in time. That's not a surprise with Nolan, as many of his movie play with time. While this is a movie about magic, it's really about two guys obsessed with being the best and out-performing the other. Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Borden (Christian Bale) start together as apprentices, eventually starting out on their own. They see the world differently. Borden sees the art of magic requiring devotion, he admires the craft and discipline. Borden cares about the purity, while Angier is a showman. He's a better performer than Borden, but Borden sees him as a sellout. Angier can't fathom devoting himself to magic as Borden describes, but throughout this movie Angier becomes devoted to beating Borden.
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| Hugh Jackman plays Robert Angier |
They form a rivalry due to tragic accident. Borden is at the center of it, and that's the start of their rift. Angier wants answers that Borden can't provide. From their, they feud. They don't like each other, but they're also envious of the other's success. They try to ruin each other. Angier likes Borden's transported man trick and wants to copy it, while dressing it up. Angier can't figure out the how, but devises his own version with a double. Angier gets help with his act while Borden performs by himself.
Angier achieves a great trick, but he's not even on stage to celebrate. There's a bit of greed in this. Angier has achieved his goal, but he's not happy. He wants to know Borden's secret, repurpose, and then get all the glory. Angier is obsessed with outdoing Borden. Borden can always spot the sleight of hand. He figures out Angier's trick quickly, using it against him. There's a drive for each to outdo the other. They never have peace, they're never content. Borden debuts a trick and Angier has to do it better. In the pursuit of success, all they've done is destroy.
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| Hugh Jackman plays Robert Angier |
You have to imagine a movie about sleight of hand, is hiding a few secrets. The final reveal takes this movie to a new level. The whole movie is great, building this tale to an amazing payoff. They both sacrificed everything. The ending is powerful, finally delving behind the magic trick and discovering all the sordid secrets. The irony is that by trying to destroy the other, both their professional careers and lives, they just harmed themselves. The price of fame is hefty.
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