The Prestige: I am not entirely sure how I seemed to have missed this Christopher Nolan from back in 2006. It has an impressive cast with Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson and a really good cameo. I think this movie was eclipsed for me with the release of the similar themed movie about magic starring Edward Norton titled The Illusionist. I still prefer the Norton film better. But this movie has many of the Nolan trademarks and some tricks and twists along the way. There are plenty of hints that likely will trigger the viewer upon a second viewing.
In brief, Bale and Jackman are young competing magicians/illusionists who used to work together. A defining event occurs where one of them blames the other for the outcome. They split and seek out a memorable trick which will propel them into fame, fortune and notoriety. The competition between the two is so intense that they are looking to cause actual harm to the other in the tricks that they are performing. The acting is good. The story doubles back onto itself a number of times, and despite the plot recap it can still be confusing. Nolan’s movies are nothing if not tests of the audience’s ability to pay close attention at all aspects of the story and the characters within it. There are hints of course, as mentioned earlier, but cleverly the magician doesn’t give up their secrets, and this movie waits until the end to piece it all together for the audience. I think it does show the extremes that some people will undertake to become known, or remembered. They don’t necessarily see the cost to them and those that they love for this reward. I liked the movie. It isn’t Nolan’s best but it certainly isn’t wasting the considerable acting talent that is on display. Worth checking out if you have the chance.
Blitz: Saoirse Ronan has been busy with last week’s The Outrun which is Oscar-worthy and this week the Apple TV release of this WWII movie. Written and directed by Steve McQueen and using Hans Zimmer for the score, this movie tells the story of a single Mom (Rita played by Ronan) during the German bombing of England who looks to find her son (George, played by Elliott Heffernan). During what was referred to as the Blitz, which is a shortened version of the German word “blitzkrieg” where military forces are used in a coordinated way to psychologically demoralize the people using elements of surprise and strength. The German tanks were well known for effecitvely using this method of attack. The Blitz took place September 1940 until May 1941. Over one million children from London alone were relocated during this time.
I give away nothing to say that Rita’s son is mixed race, with the father a young man from Africa who was whisked away by authorities in what can only be described as a racially motivated act by the police against him. We learn this over time, but the main focus is Rita who works in a munitions factory eventually deciding to keep her 9 yo son safe by sending him by train out to the country where he would be cared for along with thousands of other children. This is a very personal story, dealing with these two people and the small family, which included Rita’s father, played by The Jam musical group’s Paul Weller.
When this generation talks about anxiety and not feeling safe, one should remember that in 1940 (just 84 years ago) in addition to their houses being bombed into oblivion, killing neighbours and friends, there was also the stress of finding food, and remaining safe by separating children from their parents. Imagine then, having a headstrong son who decides to escape back to his mother. This story is not specific to one family or person, but rather it is indicative of many such stories with children who were lost during these traumatic times. We see things as an audience that have been previously not seen by me, which was looting and theft at the time after the bombs had been dropped onto stores and houses. Seems that not everyone was looking out for the greater good for the country, but rather looking for ways to survive. We are all so removed in 2024 North American society from real war that is is difficult to contemplate what each of us would do. I would like to think that more citizens would remain true to their values, than what is seen in this movie. I also think that this movie does a really good job at showing the value of the subway stations at a time when it was not safe on the streets outside. People huddled together, slept in the stations and waited out the bombings being uncertain as to what they would come back to when emerging. I enjoyed this, and it is worth checking out.
Mondays With Robbie 