Christopher Nolan's movie "The Prestige" ranks with his very best works

REVIEW

"Are you watching closely?" asks the opening line from "The Prestige," the latest film from brilliant British director Christopher Nolan. The line doesn't so much ask for your attention, but rather demands it. This demand should be taken seriously. "The Prestige," is an elaborate and endlessly fascinating thriller about people whose lives are run by their obsessions. The movie shows the negative effect these obsessions have not only on the main characters, but the people around them as well. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman play Alfred Borden and Rupert Angier, two 19th Century English magicians, and partners. A friendly rivalry between the two turns ugly, after a tragic accident during a performance tears apart their partnership. What ensues is a series of complex, and often psychotic events, with each man trying desperately to gain the upper hand on his adversary. To go into detail about the nature of these events is almost impossible. Even if I were a skilled enough writer to describe them in a way that would make sense, I would be doing the movie a great injustice. This is a movie that deserves to be seen, and the less you known about it going in, the better. Seeing the film is about magic, there are a series of interesting tricks. The greatest trick of all, however, has been pulled off by director Nolan, who was able to make a cohesive story out of what could have been a mess. Nolan, who adapted the screenplay with his brother Jonathan, from a novel by Christopher Priest, is no stranger to mind-bending thrillers, "Following," "Memento" and now "The Prestige" ranks with his very best works. With all the plot twists, the film could have easily fallen apart at the seams if it were helmed by a lesser filmmaker. Nolan not only keeps you interested, but has you eagerly anticipating each scene to find out what will happen next. Like all good mind-benders, "The Prestige" demands to be seen more than once. There is no doubt the film will reward multiple viewings, bringing into focus sections of the plot that may not be crystal clear the first time you see it. The film is driven by its direction, as well as solid performances by both Bale and Jackman, who make you feel the passion with which these two men have for out-doing each other with magic. Throw in solid supporting roles by actors such as Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson, and you've got an awe-inspiring near masterpiece that easily ranks as one of the best films of 2006.