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When released theatrically in 2006, Christopher Nolan's lovingly crafted adaptation of Christopher Priest's novel about rival magicians in the Victorian era suffered by comparison to The Illusionist. Even though the latter was a superior picture, this splendid film deserved better. On the basis of star power alone -- the cast includes Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie -- The Prestige merits reevaluation, and plot intricacies that befuddled some theatrical audiences won't hinder home viewers, who have the luxury of repeating scenes they may find confusing. Jackman and Bale play flamboyant prestidigitators Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, who are constantly striving to outdo each other. Their feud threatens to turn deadly, and Jackman's assistant, Olivia Wenscombe (Johansson), adds fuel to the fire by falling in love with Borden after being sent to spy on him. Caine adds yet another terrific supporting role to his resume, portraying Cutter, the craftsman whose mechanical skill aids Angier in creating his mind-boggling illusions. Real-life scientific wizard Nikola Tesla, superbly played by Bowie, figures in a subplot that only slightly exaggerates his genius and depicts some of his pioneering accomplishments. In his zeal to keep viewers as befuddled as the onscreen audiences watching the dueling magicians, Nolan indulges in a bit too much narrative trickery, but all is made clear at the end. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Obsession, jealousy, and deceit define the tense relationship shared between two turn-of-the-century magicians in Memento and Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan's dizzying tale of sleight of hand. Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are London-based magicians of the highest order, both blessed with spectacular powers of deception and both cursed with unrelenting envy for one another's skills. When Alfred performs an awe-inspiring trick for which there seems no logical explanation, the friendly competition shared between the pair turns to deadly rivalry as the enraged Rupert determines to uncover his rival's deepest secrets. In the world of illusion, however, nothing is ever quite as it seems, and the rules of the physical world simply don't apply. Now, as bitter competition quickly begins to consume the souls of both performers, the firestorm birthed by their anger threatens to consume all who surround them. Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie co-star in a feature that finds director/screenwriter Nolan reuniting with brother and Memento story author Jonathan Nolan to adapt author Christopher Priest's original novel. Jason Buchanan

Product Details

• UPC: 786936726695
• Source: TOUCHSTONE / DISNEY
• Region Code: A
• Time: 2:10:00
• Sales Rank: 8,500

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