The Prestige...

[GoodFairies]

Our whole family loved the movie and we have watched it at least twice, some of us three times. You did a great job with the details and meaning of the movie. Congratulations on your insight and your ability to articulate the story.

Thanks. I am a huge fan of the Nolans. I love the themes they explore. They are brilliant. Memento is one of my favorite movies of all time. The Prestige was probably the best movie I have seen in at least 5 years, maybe more. I got the novel for Christmas; I just started it a couple days ago so I'm only about 3-4 chapters into it.

 

[KikiFan]

Memento is fantastic! I love that film.

 

[DisMN]

Another thing I thought of that was interesting...

Borden was always saying he didn't know which knot he tied that day when Jackman's wife died....I didn't realize until the end of the movie that he really didn't know which knot it was...because the twin answering the knot question wouldn't be the twin that actually tied the knot.

Uh.....I'm a dope. I never would have thought of this!!

 

[2BigKIdz]

Borden's "double" was a twin from birth and not a duplicate made by the machine. Borden wrote about Tesla in his journal knowing that when Angier saw his name he would go to America to seek him out. It was a wild goose chase of sorts that would ensure Angier to be out of the magic game for a while and thus Borden would book more shows. Borden does not know that Tesla actually has a machine that would make duplicates and therefore make magic. The only thing he actually knows about Tesla is that show that both he and Angier attended when Tesla showed off his machine which at that time did not work.

Regarding which one is killed when Angier uses the machine -- it doesn't matter -- they are all exact duplicates. We do not know based on the movie whether the original Angier was killed or the copy in the first time the machine is used, but again, it does not matter. There is no difference between Angiers, and this why he comments that he "doesn't know which one of him will die on any given night."

Which one is the bad guy?
Well they both have their faults and I would say neither of them is particularly a good guy. But the point of the movie isn't really about making one the good guy and one the bad guy. It's about who will go further for his obsession over magic. Who is more obsessed? The man who settles for "half a life"? The man who will kill "himself" every night rather than share his ovation? And lets not forget how ALL 3 men allowed Angier's wife to drown rather than revealing the trick to get her out of the tank quickly when the axe didn't work.
I LOVED this movie and can't believe anyone would find it boring. Wow. I would also recommend the book for anyone who may still have questions about the movie.

Great point! I had never thought of this.

I really liked this movie also. I recognized David Bowie immediately but I had to tell my husband it was him. He's actually a decent actor, I'd like to see him in more movies.

I think the Borden twin that was the father of the girl was the one that lived. I think when the other twin took his place with the mother he was probably not intimate with her so there wouldn't have been a question about paternity. Just speculation of course as there really wasn't any mention of this in the movie, except the wife knew when she felt loved and when she didn't. I guess they loved magic more because they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble with the ladies if they had just told them the truth.

 

[PeterPanette]

We loved this movie, as well. A well-written screenplay that really keeps you thinking is becoming more and more scarce in Hollywood.

I just wanted to go on record here about how much I adore Michael Caine. Such a finely skilled actor! I don't think he's ever turned down a role, and has been in some stinkers, but he never fails to turn in a flawless performance. He's completely committed to each and every character he plays. I just love watching him work.

That cockney accent would grow tiresome with almost any other actor, but I love every word that comes out of his mouth.

 

[DisMN]

We loved this movie, as well. A well-written screenplay that really keeps you thinking is becoming more and more scarce in Hollywood.

I just wanted to go on record here about how much I adore Michael Caine. Such a finely skilled actor! I don't think he's ever turned down a role, and has been in some stinkers, but he never fails to turn in a flawless performance. He's completely committed to each and every character he plays. I just love watching him work.That cockney accent would grow tiresome with almost any other actor, but I love every word that comes out of his mouth.

And how!! I ALWAYS look forward to his movies!

 

[CraftyMouse]

And how!! I ALWAYS look forward to his movies!

Have you ever seen "Sleuth" with Michael Caine and Lawrence Olivier? It's terrific. They are now doing a remake with Michael Caine playing the part Olivier played and Jude Law playing Caine's original part!

I, too, loved The Prestige...both in the thater and now on video. I find it a very well told and well acted tale.

 

[Tazicket]

Just wanted to say that I watched this movie for the first time on Friday night and the second time on Saturday! It's amazing!!! Probably one of the best movies I've seen in a while.

I've put the book on hold at the library. For anyone who's read the book, is it as good as the movie? Usually, the movies are not as good as the book. I just don't want to build the book up to high (because of how great the movie was) and then be disappointed.

I also think that the twin who lived was the little girl's father, b/c he said that he was the one who loved Sarah.

I might have to watch it again before I take it back to my friend.