Friday, March 30, 2012
What has film been?
When considering the film The Prestige by director Christopher Nolan it is important to note the historical significance of not only film thus far, but also the era which Nolan attempts to capture in the film. It is a film set in the 19th century and tells the story of two competing magicians and the lengths they will go to in order to be considered the best. A seemingly straightforward and progressive plot, Nolan elevates this basic theme and inserts pivotal turning points which question how far one is willing to go in the vain of becoming the very best at his craft. Historically film has taken the approach of combining reality and imagination and displaying on the grandest of stages; the beloved silver screen. Just as film progressed through its early primitive history to its golden age and all the way through its modern and now post-modern phases, there has been immense conflict and incredible competition in all facets of film making. Nolan captures the essence of this type of competition in The Prestige between characters Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale). It can be argued that Nolan utilizes the theme of magic as a comparative tool with film itself, in which two autuers of their craft battle against one another to put on the greatest show. Borden and Angier are the directors of people's imagination and it is their competition with each other that drives forward the grandeur and elaborate aspects of their shows. Simultaneously though this competition to some effect drives both Angier and Borden to the precipice of madness in attempting to become the greatest magician. It is no coincidence that the setting of the film is in the 19th century near the birth of cinema. While the common portrayal of magicians in film is not easily recognized in Nolan's film, what is apparent is the modern or post-modern attitude toward filmmaking, a.k.a. 'magic.' When analyzing and critiquing Nolan's film it becomes clear that he is offering a historical reference on where cinema comes from while detailing the modern perception of what cinema has become. Auteur's consumed by their drive to entertain the audience and be proven as the undeniable best of their particular craft. Borden is driven by the craft, he pushes his limits, and is willing to do whatever it takes for the sake of progressing the art of magic. Angier in his final words admits his drive was the audience and the expression and emotion they felt when witnessing the reveal; it was for "the look on their faces." This bipolar approach to film making is prevalent in modern cinema where one camp is obsessed with entertainment and monetary success, while the others are consumed by progressing the craft itself.
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What a great way to look at this film. Absolutely Angier and Alfred can be thought of as auteur’s and each in separate ways. Each having a different approach to their method and different personalities that show through their performances when on stage. There are a few scenes that could be used to compare the magician to the director in this film. Anytime Alfred or Angier are in their workshops trying to come up with new acts of pick apart the acts of their nemesis, here they are laying down the plans for their routine like a director would do a storyboard. However I think the best example and one you seemed to hit on is how these men are most like directors when they are performing, when they are the directors of people’s imagination. Just in the way we see a film to slip out of reality and into a world carefully crafted by a director, these magicians are acting out a motion picture right in front of our eyes. Although where in film we may never see the director, in magic the magician becomes the director and lead character. Not only have they concocted this elaborate act to perform but now they also must act in it. Here they become solely responsible for how they influence the spectator’s emotions, how they create the suspension of disbelief for their audience to fall under. It can be thought of also as a profession evolved; George Melies was a magician of some sort before he got a hold of a motion camera. Magicians were the 19th century directors and with the invention of film soon became the 20th century movie directors.
ReplyDeleteJon Michael White