So I’ve made a decision.This decision has been reached after going to the movies in what can only be described as a rather lackluster era of cinema.It’s just felt like recently the bar has been lowered to such a level that some real crap is being seen as decent by comparison to everything else out there.So, the decision I have made?Christopher Nolan needs to make more movies.
I’m serious about this.I’ve only seen four movies of his (he’s only made six) but I have yet to be disappointed.Memento truly changed how I look at thrillers.If I’m watching a movie that people tell me is a “mess with your mind” movie, I’m going to be comparing it to Memento.It’s that good.Insomnia is, I feel, the weakest of his movies.But when your worst effort is a movie that is as good as Insomnia, that truly speaks volumes about you as a director.And then there is Batman Begins, which is such a brilliant piece of work it almost isn’t fair to compare it to other comic book movies.It’s just on another level.
His latest movie is The Prestige, which I think may be his best effort yet.And yes, I know, I’ve been talking about Memento for years as one of the best movies ever.The Prestige may be better.It is a dark, manipulative look at two obsessed, disturbed individuals.
The movie centers around two magician apprentices:Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale).After an event that destroys the master’s career and their friendship, the two strike out on their own.Yet they always have each other firmly in their minds.They try to make acts that are better than the other’s, and sabotage each others’ acts as well.
It comes to the point when Borden creates a trick called The Transported Man.This trick is so good that Angier cannot figure out how it is does.He becomes obsessed with it.He must find out how it is done, and steal it.And so sets off his journey into…well, damn it, I can’t tell you.
There is so much about this movie that I wish I could talk about here, but I wouldn’t dream of revealing the things this movie does.It is, at its heart, a movie about obsession, and how that obsession can destroy you as a person.
Everything about this movie is perfect.The acting draws you in and makes the characters so real to you.Both Jackman and Bale simply disappear into their roles.And Michael Caine is…well, Michael Caine.Does anything else need to be said about him?And Christopher Nolan adapted the script from the book with his brother.Things were changed from the book, but all in the right places I feel.And the direction manages to hit all the right notes.
And the way that movie manages to fool you.The tagline for this movie is “Are You Watching Closely?”And that sums up this movie.If you watch closely, I have no doubt you’d be able to figure out what’s going on.But as they explain in the movie, “The answer is right in front of you, but you don’t see it, because you don’t want to.”My advice?Let the movie take you in.Fall for it’s every trick.It makes the final reveal that much more exciting.
My rating for this movie is 5 top hats out of 5.(that will make more sense when you see it)This is the best movie of the year.Without a doubt.See this movie.See it now.See it often.And when you do, let me know.Because I’m dying to have someone to talk to about it.
