| News Items: |
| Headlines |
| News Briefs |
| Stories |
| Movies |
| Word To Life |
| More News: |
| Vatican |
| Africa |
| Archives: |
| John Paul II |
| Tsunami |
| Election 2004 |
| Charter update |
| John Jay study |
| Other Items: |
| Client Area |
| Links |
| Origins |
| Movie Review |
|
The Prestige By Harry Forbes Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- This has been a banner year for magicians of the theatrical brand. For just weeks after the release of the "The Illusionist," set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, comes "The Prestige" (Touchstone/Warner Bros.), another Victorian-era thriller with a like protagonist. And, let's not forget this year's "Scoop," which had Woody Allen playing a present-day conjurer, and coincidentally featured two of "The Prestige" stars: Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson. Odious comparison or not, the film, named for what magicians call the final revelation in a magic trick, is far less engaging than either of the others, and proves a frustratingly convoluted tale. Set mostly in England, it concerns brilliant Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and the less accomplished, but more dynamic, Robert Angier (Jackman). They begin as friends, but after the accidental death of the latter's wife, Julia (Piper Perabo), during a theatrical stunt, each will stop at nothing to sabotage (and steal the trade secrets of) the other. To synopsize more would spoil the numerous twists, and would also go on for several pages! Suffice it to say, director Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Christopher Priest's novel is, thanks to the self-serving characters, ultimately more unpleasant than intriguing and all the double-dealing grows tiresome. The two leads have charisma, and receive estimable support from Michael Caine as a retired conjurer who becomes Angier's "ingeneur" (behind-the-scenes mastermind), Johansson as Olivia, Angier's onstage assistant who serves as the romantic love interest of both, and Rebecca Hall as Borden's wife, Sarah. David Bowie is on hand to play real-life inventor Nikola Tesla, who designs an elaborate magic device for Angier using the then-new phenomenon of electricity. Andy Serkis -- the man behind Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" and "King Kong" in Peter Jackson's remake -- plays his fictional assistant, Alley. The narrative (script co-written by Nolan and his brother, Jonathan), albeit filled with elements that are meant to keep you guessing, distances the viewer. To its credit, there's no sex and minimal violence, and the worst language is the use of the English term "bloody." The film has a handsome production design by Nathan Crowley but Wally Pfister's cinematography lacks the visual elegance of "The Illusionist." In a word, what's missing from "The Prestige" is magic. The film contains some violence, including drownings, a suicide and a hanging, and some crass words. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. - - - Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
| FIND A MOVIE |
|
Looking for a movie review? |