The Prestige

Wow!

And I jolly well mean it.

This movie is entertaining in a very non-Hollywood type of way.

First, hats off to Christopher Nolan for a brilliant bit of direction. The Batman Begins director does a wonderful job of creating the right atmosphere required for such a movie.

The cast is impeccable. I have appreciated Hugh Jackman for a long time (and especially after listening to him in Flushed Away) and Christian Bale portrays his character admirably.

Michael Caine is his usual self, that is to say, untouchable as always. Sadly and strangely Scarlett Johansson simply did not fit in this movie. Do not ask me why. I think she is beautiful and acts well but some women just do not look good in Victorian dresses.

I will not go too much into the story because unlike The Illusionist, The Prestige is unpredictable and has an ending that is not illusion, magic, science, or fantasy but a mixture of everything.

The only quibble, if I may, I found that every time any of our two heroes picked a volunteer from the audience the other hero would always show up on stage to do some mischief. This was a bit odd.

An absolute must have.

• The Prestige [Blu-ray]
• The Prestige