Each of his films deals with man's desperate attempt to break free of the shackles of humanity. The devices used to achieve such freedom differ: erasing one's memory, losing sleep (and, consequently, one's sanity), becoming what you fear, and, most recently, magically shaping an illusion around one's true self.

In The Prestige, the magicians Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) become intense rivals after a stage accident costs the life of one of their wives. The magician responsible for this mishap approaches his craft with a cold and calculating technique. The other accomplishes his act with great showmanship and style. Each attempts to triumph over the other throughout the film, meanness giving way to violence and spiraling down into catastrophe.

Bale has already proven himself quite able to make such a descent convincing, so the real stand out here is Jackman. Even as the bestial Wolverine, he brought a sly wit and warmth to the animal. In this film, however, he fully indulges in his character's basest instincts--his is a devastating tale. Michael Caine reiterates the wise-old sage from Batman Begins to great effect, Scarlett Johanssen fills out her shapely assistant role, and David Bowie brings an ethos and mystery to the Inventor Tesla.

This film about magic contains much sleight of hand, accomplished by either the cold and calculating film technician, or the great showman. While some have said that when all is said done, there's very little behind this wizard's curtain, I would disagree. Sometimes consecutive acts can transition a bit harshly, and some characters do feel underdeveloped, but this is all secondary to the attention Nolan gives these two surprisingly similar adversaries. What lies behind the curtain, that is, concerns not the beauty and magic sought by both magicians, but the truth about obsession. Nolan's lesson is that when any man becomes obsessed with the diminishment of another, he loses sight of the most crucial thing that can keep his own self alive and well--his soul. When this is lost or forsaken, there is nothing left in a man to redeem him.

In the end, this is a dark legend with a strong warning. An illusion can only last as long as the audience wants to be tricked. Once the games end and there is no more magic to amaze and distract, who exactly is a person? And if he sacrifices everything for the show, is there anything left?