The Prestige

a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course...it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige".

The Prestige (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Judge: What a way to kill someone. Cutter: They're magicians, your honor. Men who live by dressing up plain and simple truths to shock, to amaze. Judge: Even without an audience? Cutter: There was an audience. You see, this water tank was of particular significance to these two men. Particularly awful significance.

The Prestige (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Alfred Borden: Everything's going to be alright, because I love you very much. Sarah: Say it again. Alfred Borden: I love you. Sarah: Not today. Alfred Borden: What do you mean? Sarah: Well some days it's not true. Maybe today you're more in love with magic. I like being able to tell the difference, it makes the days it is true mean something.

The Prestige (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Angier: I thought you said I'd have to get my hands dirty. Cutter: Maybe someday you will; I just needed to know that you could.

The Prestige (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Olivia Wenscombe: [referring to Angier] He wants me to come work for you and steal your secrets. Alfred Borden: What does he need my secrets for? His trick is top-notch. He vanishes, and then he reappears instantly on the other side of the stage—mute, overweight, and unless I'm mistaken, very drunk. It's astonishing; how does he do it?

The Prestige (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Sarah: Alfred, I can't live like this! Alfred Borden: Well, what do you want from me? Sarah: I want... I want you to be honest with me. No tricks, no lies, no secrets. (pause) Do you... do you love me? Alfred Borden: Not today. No.

The Prestige (film), CC BY-SA 4.0