The Prestige
The Prestige
Set in London in the 1800s, two rival magicians read each others diary containing the secrets of their magic tricks and personal life. As we go back in time when the diaries were written, both magicians become obsessed with their rival's best trick. The tricks, as shown to the audience, look the same, but neither magician can figure out how his opponent does it.
Vincent Reggiannini reviewedJuly 11, 2025
I have talked about “The Prestige” many times. An absolutely brilliant movie. Layered, multiple meanings. Quotes that mean one thing at first, but then something deeply powerful later on.
The first time you watch it you will be confused, overwhelmed.
“Are you watching closely?”
The second time you will see how everything ties together.
“I lied, it was agony.”
The third time you will see how the movie tells you the answers over and over, again and again. You are literally beaten over the head with answers, but you refuse to believe.
“You want to be fooled.”
The fourth time will tear your heart out - watching two men sacrifice everything they have for the sake of their reputations. Sacrifices that forces them both into situations they cannot back out of, hurting not just themselves but everyone around them.
“Not today, you don’t mean that.”
They each are on a one-way track to doom, where even their true feelings are scoffed at by the ones they love the most. They made their choices and their lives are torn apart by the world they have molded around them.
“If people knew the truth they’d scream.”
Ironies, sleight of hand, misdirection, truth shrouded in lies and the inevitable pain of realizing that each man had a destiny to fulfill, ending up exactly how and where they both deserved and didn’t deserve.
“It was the look on their faces…”
In my opinion, Nolan’s best film.