Highly rated “The Prestige” lives up to promising trailer

After months of anticipation following the release of its intriguing trailer, “The Prestige” opened in theaters nationwide this past Friday. The film comes from director Christopher Nolan, who continues to build an impressive reputation.

The film follows admirable efforts from Nolan, such as “Batman Begins” (2005), “Insomnia” (2002) and “Memento” (2000). In many ways, “The Prestige” is similar to these other psychological thrillers.

“The Prestige” follows two would-be magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), in turn-of-the-century London. Starting out as friends through their offbeat trade, their friendship disintegrates into a bitter feud. Their rivalry is fueled by Angier’s intense jealousy of Borden’s family life and success and Borden’s obsession not only to top Angier, but to completely master magic. When Borden comes out with his masterpiece — the trick that people will remember him for — Angier is driven to find out its secret.

The origin of the title of the film is explained numerous times in a bit of narration from Michael Caine’s character, Cutter. Each magic trick is made up of three acts: the pledge, the turn and the prestige. The prestige is simply the payoff of a successful magic trick, the applause and appreciation from a magician’s adoring public after an astounding feat.

The film features the absolute acting tour de force of Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, et al. The cast is predictably exquisite, especially Bale, whose star may have reached new heights here. Bale stands out in the film as one who embodied his character from speech (his British accent was most obvious) to action (a family man as well as an obsessive magician). Bale has proven time and time again that he is one of the most promising actors in Hollywood today, and this performance may merit Oscar consideration.

Fully adequate as Bale’s archenemy is Hugh Jackman, who is starting to show off his acting versatility. This is the second time this year that the native Australian has taken up a British character (the other being in “Scoop”). Jackman shows an intensity that challenges the rest of the cast in his hunt for the secret of “The Transported Man.”

While her accent seems a bit off, Scarlett Johansson turns in another good performance as the lovely stage assistant, Olivia Wenscombe. Often overlooked, Michael Caine is integral to the movie, as much of his acting is what moves the plot along and sets up other events to occur. Michael Caine can easily be compared to other great supporting actors like Morgan Freeman.

The screenplay is top notch, employing all the twists and turns that Michael Caine describes in a traditional magic trick. Based on Christopher Priest’s novel of the same name, and adapted for the screen by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan himself, “The Prestige” is one of the most engrossing and thought-provoking movies of the year. The film plays out in such a way that its tag line, “Are you watching closely?” could never be more appropriate.

The cinematography of the film presents an antique look into another world — one where magicians played a bigger role in society’s entertainment. The backgrounds of various scenes cast a dark, foreboding shadow over the events taking place. The costuming provides rich imagery that helps the realism of the picture, and the themes throughout heighten emotions and build suspense in textbook fashion.

“The Prestige” can be described as a complete movie-going experience. It is imperative to see “The Prestige” in theaters for the unique atmosphere it provides. In a theater, this film truly commands the attention of its audience, and the audience will not be disappointed.

Grade: A+