SUSPENSE
The paradox to seeing magic performed onstage is wanting to know how it's done and wanting to believe that just maybe the man in the top hat really did turn a rabbit into a dove. Director-cowriter Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins) is counting on that push-pull to keep viewers paying attention—and you need to pay close attention—to The Prestige, a twisty-turny thriller about a deadly rivalry between two magicians during Victorian times. Robert (Jackman) is a gifted showman while Alfred (Bale) is the better magician. Each tries to sabotage the other's performances and learn his rival's secrets. Nolan throws in a few tricks of his own to keep things engrossing (savvy viewers will guess at least one halfway through). Prestige could use a touch more humor, but it assumes an intelligence on the part of viewers and that's magic enough these days. (PG-13)
