Making a Life Disappear

So yesterday I went to see “The Prestige” at the movie theater. I had seen the trailers and was interested. After seeing that it had received a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes I just couldn’t resist. Basically the movie is about two warring magicians and takes place at beginning of the 20^th century. The movie is told as looking back while reading a diary and as stepping forward though “present” time. Initially the magicians work together, but a tragic event sets off a feud of vengeance and oneupsmanship. The movie is full of surprise, sadness, hate, and envy. Some reviewers have stated that the slight of hand that takes place during the movie is telegraphed and a little too slow. To use a line from the movie “They don’t see because they don’t want to.” If you want to see the slight of hand you can. If you don’t want to see then you won’t. And basically the movie isn’t about the turns of the plot, that’s just entertainment to keep you interested. The far more interesting part of the story is to watch two lives spiral downward. To use another line form the movie, “obsession is a young man’s game,” and obsession ages one very rapidly. By the end of the movie I was left with one overpowering question. Who was more pitiable, the man who gave up his life to learn a magic trick or the man who lived his life solely for that magic trick? I’m not really sure, but I do know one thing. Sometimes, you just have to let it go. And for you, I suggest you let yourself go see this movie, but leave the kids at home.