The Prestige

Christopher Nolan in flow state.. The words ‘are you watching closely’ were probably uttered over a 100 times in this movie - and by the end of it, I guess my answer to that question was no. Just when you feel like you’ve got a grasp on everything that’s going on, the rug gets pulled from right under you. Both Angier and Borden pulled off some insane tricks throughout this, but none of them compare to what Nolan himself was cooking. I’ve seen obsession portrayed through film so many times, but I don’t think any film has ever demonstrated it to this extent. The amount of sacrifice, pain and even death endured to simply one up each other and seek vengeance made for an intense watch. I’ve deeped, when movies immediately start with a big event, you simply can’t take it at face value. And watching a story unfold that way, giving you prior context while simultaneously moving the story forward in present time always makes for some great revelations. Now that I’ve glazed Nolan, I have to shift the focus to the two leads and their characters. Borden was a performer by profession, but when those curtains were drawn and the lights were off, his performance simply continues - at home, on stage and in the shadows; for him the cause was always first. With Angier his motives starts with tragedy, but his obsession quickly festers so much so that his original motive became insignificant.  The final act with that full circle moment, right until the end credits begin rolling literally has you holding your breath - and it all ends with a satisfying but lingering conclusion, as Christopher Nolan usually does.