Part of Bowie On Film.
As two friends and magicians just starting to learn their art, Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) become bitter enemies after a sudden tragedy. Now, as the two devote their lives to a rivalry played out on the London stage, the sacrifices each makes to continue an ever-more deadly cycle of revenge will lead to fame and to tragedy. Featuring an electric performance by David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. Screening in 35mm
“It doesn't want to explore epistemological questions about the nature of perception and memory; it just wants to mess with our heads. And as a wily, slightly sadistic chess game of a movie, it succeeds quite nicely.” —Dana Stevens, Slate “Bowie's portrayal of Nikola Tesla is a pivotal one in Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Christopher Priest's magician-vs-magician novel, because it marks the moment when the movie makes the transition from pure science to actual magic.” —Noel Murray, Rolling Stone “Nolan, as usual working from a script he co-wrote with his brother Jonathan, makes full use of the screen’s ability to make us believe in the unbelievable because we’ve seen it with our own eyes… Bowie gives an immaculate performance, using an undefinable accent to utter gnomic pronouncements to wonderful effect.” —Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
