Throw in a film with Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson with Christopher Nolan on directing duties. Slap the thick atmosphere and feel of the late 19th century with a lemon twist of magic and illusion, and it's hard to figure out how it can possibly disappoint. Pop in a bit of David Bowie and Andy Serkis and the climb gets a whole lot sweatier with The Prestige.

Two magicians at the top of their game and even that's not enough. The lengths at which they will go to to outdo each other beyond the realm of sanity is just unbearable and unflinchingly excruciating. Dedication, deception and deliverance.

The word d?nouement sounds really great with a French accent. Not that that has anything to do with anything. Really.

Bale hangs on a smooth Londoner's tongue that the setting is pretty much complete on his turn of the talk. Jackman is a crazily obsessive man that following him on his journey is one that breaks a bit of the heart. Watching these two face off against each other is well fine. A grand sense of magic alone in their scenes together.

Obsession never lets go and that sense of despair that permeates the side arm rests ultimately leaves the mind rattling away in a rather disturbed set after watching the burn and flicker.