Despite age, everyone around us is fascinated by magic, not because of the way magicians disappear things, but the way they bring back them which is the hardest part. That’s where the mystery lies and we call it “The Prestige”. Magic is more like an illusion which distorts senses through misinterpreted perception of sensory experience and deals with psychology and neuroscience. On the other hand, there is science, the field itself is magic. The more we discover, the more it astonishes us.

The prestige is another Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece but is an underrated one. It is the story of two magicians and their rivalry in magic which leads to an endless battle of desire for supremacy. It is an intricate tale of magic, science, rivalry, obsession, sacrifice, envy and deception. It is just not a regular predictable revenge story. Nolan flabbergasts us in the film comprehensively.

Beyond belief screenplay by Christopher Nolan:

The screenplay of the film begins with the narration by John Cutter(Michael Caine) explaining three important parts of magic – the pledge, the truth and the “prestige”. The screenplay of the film takes place in three different timelines with multiple storylines and a parallel narration. Robert Angier(Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden(Christian Bale) are two aspiring magicians who work as shills for a magician under the mentorship of an engineer who designs a static stage, John Cutter. Once during a magic trick called  “The water tank trick”,  Borden becomes the reason for the death of Angier’s wife. Then on, the two men turn out to be bitter enemies. 
Soon after a few days, they start their own magic shows where Borden invents a new magic trick called “The Transported Man”. The rest of the story deals with- ‘How the greatest scientist of all time Nikola Tesla(David Bowie) helped Angier with his magic trick? What role did Olivia(Scarlett Johansson) play in the downfall of the two magicians? What exact trick does Borden use for The transported man?’ and many more bewildering elements and finally the film ends with a breathtaking climax.

The remarkable partnership of Nolan and David Julyan:

David Julyan is the music composer of The prestige who also scored for the first four films of Christopher Nolan. The riveting background music is a predominant key to the film which pulls the audience attention completely into it. The soundtracks of the film are perfectly fitted and goes unnoticed sometimes.

Character Arcs:
 
Robert Angier:
An obsessive man whose wife’s death changed him completely as a person. He does anything for his desire to have the crown of the greatest magician in the world.

Alfred Borden:
Not the greatest showman but the best technical magician, who believes that boundaries are meant to be pushed and tries to take magic to a whole new level. He is quite a family man, also a grey character.

Perfect Starcast:
Talking about the characters Alfred Borden and Robert Angier, the initial letters of their names together matches the initial letters of the famous word “ABRA” Cadabra, the word often used by magicians. Hugh Jackman and Christain Bale justified their roles completely. Christain Bale and Nolan are seen working once again together in this film, after their first film Batman Begins. Nolan told that it was fun and pleasure working with Hugh Jackman. Though David Brownie initially declined the role of Nikola Tesla when Christopher Nolan offered him, he later changed his mind and accepted the role.

The prestige is based on a novel that goes by the same name written by Christopher Priest. This film was nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction at 2006 Academy Awards

Final Verdict:
Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece. 
An incredible journey which gives you a whole new experience.