In the premiere episode of Single Serving Cinema, Tim and Tay explore a deceptively simple and highly functional scene in the spiraling, multi-layered narrative of Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige. 

The Prestige tells the story of two rival stage magicians in Victorian-era London, and their obsessive pursuits to gain superiority, no matter the cost. Directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, The Prestige was released on Oct. 20, 2006.

The Prestige is available to stream on Disney+, and as a digital rental.  

 
Scene (0:13:27- 16:02)

Featuring Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier, Christian Bale as Alfred Borden, Piper Perabo as Julia Angier, and Michael Caine as Cutter.

The scene is set backstage following a successful, but apparently, "boring", act by Milton, a show magician that the quartet all work for. Borden largely drives the conversation regarding the lack of originality in Milton's show, while Angier questions Borden’s morality and his bluntness on the subject. Cutter calls out Borden for using the incorrect knot on Julia during the act and further arguments of professionalism, showmanship and secrecy arise.

Links

16:32: “Secret of the Magus”, a New Yorker profile of Ricky Jay

Recommendations

Tim: Burning, (Lee Chang-dong, 2018)  — available on Amazon Prime

Tay: Eastern Promises, (David Cronenberg, 2007) — available on Amazon Prime  

All links verified at the time of publication and based on availability in Canada.

Follow:

• SSC on Instagram
• Tim on Letterboxd