Journal #3: An houe and 57mins

During a good book, story, or film there are always important scenes that are absolutely necessary to the plot. The most important scene in the Prestige is when we find out that Borden has had a double the entire time. This is the big twist that nobody sees coming even though Angier thought that it was the only way Borden could do his famous reappearing man trick. The scene starts right after Borden is hung. The rubber ball bounces toward Angier and he is shot suddenly. The scene is very dark and a man approaches and lifts his hat. It appears to be Borden, but that is impossible because he is just been hung. This is where Angier and the audience discover that Borden and Fallon were actually doubles. Angier asks “a brother, a twin, you were Fallon… the whole time!” Borden replies calmly “no we were both Fallon and we were both Borden.”  Angier’s face is full of pain from being shot, but more importantly shock from realizing that Borden had always had a double. Angier also feels betrayed by Carter because he knew the entire time.  The movie flashes back and shows how they switched disguises several times and how they shared a double life. They even depict a scene where Borden cuts of Fallon’s finger so they can be identical. This twist adds so much to the movie and causes serious confusion the first time it is viewed. It is by far the most vital scene in the movie because it unveils the true trickery behind the stunt. The audience has also been tricked the entire movie much like Angier was. Keeping this fact of the brothers keeps the whole story moving. We realize in the end that it all adds up as the scene flashes back to different instances where Fallon and Borden switch disguises and even cut off Fallon’s finger to match Borden’s. It is a truly shocking part of the film and gives the whole movie a sensible ending.