The Prestige vs. The Illusionist

[benzgrl]

I guess I should re-watch The Prestige as I don't remember it too well, but I do remember how the film made me feel, just being difficult for me to watch. I wasn't drawn to either of the main characters, did not feel sympathy, was not routing for them. Probably too dark for me.

The Illusionist I absolutely loved, beautiful love story - seeing Edward Norton in this and The Painted Veil has made me a fan. Jessica Beil surprised me in this role; she definitely can carry a period film and did superbly on the accent. The amazing unexpected twist at the end was delightful and gratifying.

[Fighter]

Can't wait for the american release of 'The Illusionist' on blu

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by jstasa51

Can't wait for the american release of 'The Illusionist' on blu

I know, me too! I actually heard the Canadian release is pretty good (the film will never look amazing on blu--it is meant to resemble an old photograph, which is why sepia tone is used predominately), but those who have reviewed the film on Amazon have said it looks very good. I am conflicted about whether to buy the Canadian version or wait for the American version. I have found this to be an issue with several films, most recently Red Cliff.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by benzgrl

I guess I should re-watch The Prestige as I don't remember it too well, but I do remember how the film made me feel, just being difficult for me to watch. I wasn't drawn to either of the main characters, did not feel sympathy, was not routing for them. Probably too dark for me.

You're not supposed to have sympathy for them. It's a character study about obsession. Why must every movie have a happy ending or a fairytale story?

[benzgrl]

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

You're not supposed to have sympathy for them. It's a character study about obsession. Why must every movie have a happy ending or a fairytale story?

It's just merely my feelings on the film. I don't only like movies that have happy endings. I appreciate your take on the film and respect that. It's not a matter of what you're "suppose" to feel or not. I'm just telling you what I felt, nothing more. I was merely trying to give reasons as to why I like one over the other as the OP asked.

[Secretagentnumber6]

I love em both. I voted Prestige because the story in the Prestige is much more interesting to me, with a historical fiction feel to it. The Illusionist, also had this feel too, but in the end while I think they are both worthy films I just enjoyed the Prestige more. Illusionist is a great film too but Prestige was just better in my opinion.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Secretagentnumber6

I love em both. I voted Prestige because the story in the Prestige is much more interesting to me, with a historical fiction feel to it. The Illusionist, also had this feel too, but in the end while I think they are both worthy films I just enjoyed the Prestige more. Illusionist is a great film too but Prestige was just better in my opinion.

Thanks for the post. I agree with you about The Prestige in that it had a more interesting story and kept me on the edge of my seat. The Illusionist was more subtle and required more patience. The films are so completely different though.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

You're not supposed to have sympathy for them. It's a character study about obsession. Why must every movie have a happy ending or a fairytale story?

You are completely right--the main theme of the film is obsession, and I think it portrays this theme very well.

Your last comment missed the point of what he said though. I too did not care for the characters but enjoyed the film immensely. One reason I liked The Illusionist better is that I just really liked the characters. Liking the characters is not essential to me, but in this case it propelled one film above the other, at least for me.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

You are completely right--the main theme of the film is obsession, and I think it portrays this theme very well.

Your last comment missed the point of what he said though. I too did not care for the characters but enjoyed the film immensely. One reason I liked The Illusionist better is that I just really liked the characters. Liking the characters is not essential to me, but in this case it propelled one film above the other, at least for me.

If the characters aren't intended to be likeable, how can that be a criticism of the film? Daniel Day-Lewis' character in There Will Be Blood is about as likeable as Hitler. But the point of the film wasn't to make the audience like his character. It was merely to study his character, perhaps to give the audience an example of how not to behave. I think the characters in The Prestige are not as loathsome as Daniel Plainview in TWBB, but at the same time they are not beacons of morality and their behavior is pretty despicable. I think The Prestige is a good warning against obsession with one's work. Look what it did to the main characters' private lives (IE marriages/relationships).

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

If the characters aren't intended to be likeable, how can that be a criticism of the film? Daniel Day-Lewis' character in There Will Be Blood is about as likeable as Hitler. But the point of the film wasn't to make the audience like his character. It was merely to study his character, perhaps to give the audience an example of how not to behave. I think the characters in The Prestige are not as loathsome as Daniel Plainview in TWBB, but at the same time they are not beacons of morality and their behavior is pretty despicable. I think The Prestige is a good warning against obsession with one's work. Look what it did to the main characters' private lives (IE marriages/relationships).

I completely agree with most of what you said, despite the ill-advised comparison of Plainview to Hitler. I disagree, however, about likeability Obviously the characters were not meant to be likeable, but in comparing this film and The Illusionist, some people choose the Illusionist because the better like films that allow you to connect with the characters on an emotional level. So, in essence, it is not necessarily a criticism of The Prestige but a means of choosing one film over the other, which is exceedingly difficult when both films are so different yet both of high quality.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I completely agree with most of what you said, despite the ill-advised comparison of Plainview to Hitler. I disagree, however, about likeability Obviously the characters were not meant to be likeable, but in comparing this film and The Illusionist, some people choose the Illusionist because the better like films that allow you to connect with the characters on an emotional level. So, in essence, it is not necessarily a criticism of The Prestige but a means of choosing one film over the other, which is exceedingly difficult when both films are so different yet both of high quality.

I agree with that. I enjoy both types of films, both character studies and more personal films that allow you to connect and root for the characters.

Exactly what was ill-advised about comparing the likeability of Plainview to Hitler's likeability? Plainview is a morally bankrupt character that does a lot of evil things. Just because he didn't literally kill millions of people doesn't mean the "likeability" comparison is invalid.

[Call_Me_Megatron]

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

Exactly what was ill-advised about comparing the likeability of Plainview to Hitler's likeability? Plainview is a morally bankrupt character that does a lot of evil things. Just because he didn't literally kill millions of people doesn't mean the "likeability" comparison is invalid.

Oh boy, not this again. It's probably best to just leave it alone. There was a major shitstorm in a thread back in the summer and it got really stupid and it had to do with people being compared to Hitler. It got really out of hand and I say let sleeping dogs lie. All I'll say is people can get really offended when Hitler is used as a comparison. Trust me, this is best left alone.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by benzgrl

I guess I should re-watch The Prestige as I don't remember it too well, but I do remember how the film made me feel, just being difficult for me to watch. I wasn't drawn to either of the main characters, did not feel sympathy, was not routing for them. Probably too dark for me.

The Illusionist I absolutely loved, beautiful love story - seeing Edward Norton in this and The Painted Veil has made me a fan. Jessica Beil surprised me in this role; she definitely can carry a period film and did superbly on the accent. The amazing unexpected twist at the end was delightful and gratifying.

I agree on all points, although I did like The Prestige very much despite not caring for the characters.

I also agree that Biel did a great job.

Thank you to those who have listed their thoughts instead of just merely voting. I expected The Prestige to have more votes, but maybe not this many because of the ppl I know who have seen both, most of them preferred The Illusionist.