Sometimes, ideas are in the air, and two movies with similar themes or stories are released in the same year. It happened with Armageddon and Deep Impact, Antz and A Bug’s Life, and, The Prestige and The Illusionist. In 2006, these two movies about magicians hit the cinema. Which one is better? Here’s our verdict.
Why The Prestige Is Better
Based on the novel by Christoper Priest, The Prestige tells the story of two magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), and their battle to one-up each other, consequences be damned. Both magicians couldn’t be more different, as Angier is a pure showman, and Borden is a born magician, dedicated to his craft. This movie was directed by Christopher Nolan, and starred Christian Bale, in one of his best performances. The movie tries to be a magic trick in itself, hiding things in plain sight and distracting the audience with other showy moments, so that everything that happens still feels like magic. That's until the third act full of revelations that explains everything. Nolan and his brother (who co-wrote the script) wanted to tell a story that shows that real magic is science and progress. The duo also uses many genres, as this film is about magic, but it’s also a sci-fi film, a whodunnit, a drama, and a fantasy. The real trick is its casting, as it has an incredible group of actors.
Not only Jackman and Bale (in one of the many collaborations between the actor and the director) but also Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Rebecca Hall (Christine), Michael Caine (The Dark Knight), Piper Perabo (Yellowstone), Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes) and even David Bowie as Tesla! The film’s focus is not that much on magic, but more on obsession, revenge, the absolute commitment to one’s craft, and the darkest parts of the soul, making it a more profound film than it might look at first sight, where all the plot twists keep trying to surprise us. As with most magicians and twist movies, some things don’t hold up great upon re-watching (especially Borden’s secret way of doing the trick, which makes his relationship with his wife problematic, consent-wise). And yet, the film gets to do the same as magic tricks: dazzle us, and leave us surprised when we leave the theater.
About his casting, Christian Bale told Empire: "I was attracted particularly to Borden because he's quite an awkward character who's uncomfortable in front of an audience. That was a good fit for me because I've hardly ever done any stage work. Whereas Hugh has done loads of stage musicals, he's really at home on the boards. And that really showed while shooting – he really took to the showmanship."
Why The Illusionist Is Better
Freestyle
The Illusionist is adapted from a short story by Steven Milhauser, where master illusionist Eisenheim (Edward Norton) has become one of the greatest magicians in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and will do anything for love. This Neil Burger (Limitless) film, has a more romantic view of magic and the magician, as Eisenheim loves his craft and will do anything to get the love of his life back. The Illusionist is not that focused on how the tricks are done, but more in the philosophy behind it and how believing in illusions also means believing in making the impossible possible. The same can be said of love, Eisenheim’s main drive, as he wants to get Sophie (Jessica Biel) back and out of the control of Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell).
This is one of Edward Norton's best performances, and the rest of the cast is also great, from Jessica Biel (Candy) to Paul Giamatti (Sideways) and a despicable, evil performance by Rufus Sewell (The Man in the High Castle). The tricks in this film are actual magicians’ tricks and could be done on stage by any of them right now, showing that illusions are part of our real world. Burger’s direction leans into that, making the film more of a character study as we keep learning more and more about Eisenheim; who he is, why he does what he does, and what makes him tick. The sets, costume design, location, and lighting also help sell this world and make it possible, as if this could’ve happened in our world, creating and augmenting the sense of wonder with every one of the illusionists' inventions. The ending is also great, as the biggest trick the illusionist ever did is making himself and the love of his life disappear, so they can live happily ever after.
About the film, director Neil Burger told Groucho Reviews: “Yeah, I mean, look. The main thing is that, to me, the magic in the movie is less about, you know, how does he do it and how the trick is done, and it's more about this uncanny sense that nothing is what it seems. You know, it's like when you come face-to-face with something unexplainable or incomprehensible and how that changes your perception of things.”
The Verdict
Warner Bros. Pictures
Both movies are great, being incredible examples of how a similar idea can create two stories so different. The Illusionist might be a more straightforward film, where the illusions could be done today, and is more interested in telling a story about love, and what one will do to be with their other half. On the other hand, The Prestige is much more interested in the commitment to one's craft, even if it means alienating everyone around you, and how revenge and competition can be your worst enemy if you obsess over them.
One is the story of love where magic is possible, and the other is a spectacle where work, science, and advancement are the most important. One has Edward Norton, and the other one has both Batman and Wolverine (in one of Jackman’s best dramatic movies). One has a noir ending where the detective understands what has happened, and the other has a sci-fi one created by David Bowie himself. Which one is better? For us, The Prestige is a lick better. Nolan’s direction, Bale and Jackman’s acting, the script’s plot twists, and the ending, make you leave the theater still thinking about the movie for a long time, and how they pulled it off, as a magician shows would. The movie proved that cinema and movies are also magic, as the feeling is the same.