Watch The Prestige

Set in London in the late 1800s, The Prestige follows two magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), as they compete against each other to create the ultimate illusion. The two men start out as friends and partners, performing together as "The Transported Man." However, their partnership quickly falls apart when Angier's wife dies during Borden's new trick, "The Bullet Catch." Angier blames Borden for his wife's death and becomes obsessed with uncovering the secret behind his rival's new illusion.

The movie is divided into three acts, each of which follows a different narrative thread. The first act introduces us to both Angier and Borden, and sets up their rivalry. We also meet a talented stage assistant named Olivia (Scarlett Johansson), who becomes romantically involved with both men. As the story progresses, we see how Angier and Borden's respective obsessions drive them to greater and greater extremes, both on and offstage.

The second act takes us deeper into this world of magic and illusion, as both men begin to use increasingly risky and dangerous methods to outdo each other. Angier, in particular, becomes more and more fixated on discovering the secret to Borden's new trick, and enlists the help of a scientist named Nikola Tesla (David Bowie) to build a machine that will help him replicate it. Meanwhile, Borden's personal life begins to unravel, and we start to see the cost of his obsession with magic.

The third act brings all these threads together in a stunning climax that reveals the true nature of the rivalry between Angier and Borden. Without giving too much away, it's safe to say that the movie's title, The Prestige, refers to the final, theatrical twist in a magic trick that leaves the audience gasping in disbelief. As the movie progresses, we start to see how this sense of awe and wonder can become destructive, especially when combined with ambition, jealousy, and revenge.

The Prestige is an intricately crafted film that rewards careful attention and deep thinking. Its nonlinear structure, multiple timelines, and interlocking narratives require the viewer to pay close attention and piece together the various clues and hints scattered throughout the movie. At its core, though, The Prestige is a story about obsession, sacrifice, and the lengths we will go to achieve greatness. It's a movie that will leave you thinking long after it's over, and one that is well worth the investment of time and attention required to fully appreciate it.

The Prestige is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5 and a MetaScore of 66.