The Prestige is a film about the rivalry between two magicians, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, set in the 19th century. Both characters are obsessed with their craft and are willing to make extreme sacrifices to achieve the ultimate illusion. The film explores themes of obsession, sacrifice, and revenge. The final reveal of the film shows that Borden had a secret twin, and explains many of the mysteries in the movie. The Prestige is a complex film with well-developed characters and a satisfying conclusion, making it a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers.
The Prestige: The Tale of Two Magicians, Borden vs. Angier
Introduction
The Prestige is a movie that explores the rivalry between two magicians, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden. Set in the late 19th century, the movie is a tale of obsession, revenge, and sacrifice. The Prestige is a complex movie with multiple twists and turns that keep the viewers on edge until the final reveal. In this article, we will analyze the characters of Borden and Angier, their motivations, and how they evolve throughout the movie.
The Character of Borden
Alfred Borden is a skilled magician who partners with his childhood friend, Fallon, to perform the Transported Man, a trick that involves the magician appearing in two different locations simultaneously. The character of Borden is portrayed as a reserved, introverted, and secretive person who is obsessed with his craft. Borden’s obsession with magic leads him to sacrifice his personal life, including his relationship with his wife, Sarah, and his daughter, Jess. Borden’s motivation for performing the Transported Man is to achieve the ultimate illusion, one that rivals even the greatest magician in the world, Rupert Angier. Borden’s evolution in the movie takes the viewers through the different stages of his obsession, from his loyalty to Fallon to his ultimate realization that he must destroy his rival to preserve his secret.
The Character of Angier
Robert Angier is a successful magician who performs under the name, “The Great Danton.” Unlike Borden, who is subtle and reserved, Angier is a showman who loves attention and is a charmer of women. Angier’s motivation for magic is not only to achieve greatness but also to avenge the death of his wife, Julia, who drowned during a magic trick gone wrong. Angier’s obsession with magic and revenge leads him to seek out the help of the enigmatic Nikola Tesla to build a machine that can help him achieve the ultimate illusion. Angier’s evolution in the movie takes the viewers through the different stages of his obsession, from his infatuation with Sarah to his ultimate realization that he must sacrifice himself to achieve the ultimate illusion.
Their Rivalry
The rivalry between Borden and Angier is the central theme of the movie, and it is what drives the plot. The movie explores the different ways in which the characters approach magic and how it affects their personal lives. Borden and Angier have a healthy rivalry at the beginning of the movie, but it quickly turns into an obsession that consumes both of them. The rivalry between the two magicians takes a dark turn as they resort to sabotage and violence to outdo each other. Borden and Angier are willing to go to extreme lengths, including sacrificing their loved ones, to achieve the ultimate illusion.
The Themes of the Movie
The Prestige explores several themes throughout its runtime, including obsession, sacrifice, and revenge. The movie shows how obsession can consume a person’s life and how it can lead to their downfall. Both Borden and Angier are willing to sacrifice everything, including their loved ones, to achieve their ultimate goal. The theme of sacrifice is prevalent in the movie, as both characters are willing to make extreme sacrifices to achieve their goals. The theme of revenge is also explored in the movie, as Angier seeks revenge for the death of his wife, and Borden seeks revenge for the betrayal of his secret.
The Final Reveal
The Prestige has a final reveal that shocks the audience and ties up all the loose ends in the movie. The final reveal shows that Borden had been living a double life, with one twin living as Borden and the other as Fallon. The final reveal explains many of the mysteries in the movie, including how Borden was performing the Transported Man trick. The final reveal also shows the ultimate sacrifice that Borden made to achieve the ultimate illusion, which was to live as a prisoner of his own secret.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Prestige is a movie that explores the rivalry between two magicians and how it affects their personal lives. The characters of Borden and Angier are complex and well-developed, and their evolution throughout the movie is a testament to the writing and acting of the movie. The themes of obsession, sacrifice, and revenge are prevalent throughout the movie and are explored in detail. The final reveal ties up all the loose ends in the movie and provides a satisfying conclusion to the story. The Prestige is a must-watch movie for fans of psychological thrillers and is a testament to Christopher Nolan’s skills as a director.