All conflicts originate from Angier's obsession. Don't dwell on the story and suspense of the film. Let's just analyze poor Angier's mental journey:
Although he was born in a noble family, Angier may not have received enough attention from others since he was a child, and his thirst for attention Shaped his character tragedy throughout the film. What made him finally embark on the path of magic is the ability to surprise and scream in the audience for even a second (Angier's self-report after being shot), that kind of expression is willing to pay him for a child who lacks attention. everything to pursue.
After marriage, the love of his wife made Angier spend the happiest period of time. Although still an apprentice, in his personal world, he is the protagonist in the spotlight and dominates his own life. It was also during this period that he was full of confidence and could care less about Borden, who was also an apprentice (backstage conversation after his first performance as a hidden pile). Angier felt that he was getting closer to his dream.
But his wife's accidental drowning shattered his dream life, and at the same time he couldn't get a definite answer to Borden's questioning, and Angier's life and psychology were once again out of balance. The torment of becoming an "outsider" again made him subconsciously see Borden as an imaginary enemy to steal his influence and attention. The struggle against the fate of the "outsider" and the struggle for attention was manifested in his revenge against Borden—then Specific to the competition in the magic market, Angier's obsession is magnified infinitely.
When he instructed his female assistant to inquire about Borden's secrets, a heartless line touched his heart: "I don't care about my wife. I care about his secret." Poor Angier was just trying to get away from being an outsider and a bystander, he just wanted to To be the protagonist and the winner - but in fact still a simple child who is so gullible - he was once again put together by Borden in this contest. After losing his wife and losing his attention, he once again lost a second woman and was turned against him. Angier was further marginalized.
At this moment, when the omnipotent copying machine appears in front of Angier, I don't think he will hesitate at all. This is the last resort he has been waiting for to save the defeat. When he decided to kill himself to achieve his goal, I don't think he would hesitate. This is no longer a method that normal "people" can use. Mixed with jealousy and hatred, he voluntarily gave up "humanity" and fell into The bottomless "ghost way". Every reincarnation, it gets colder.
On both sides of the bars, Angier finally appeared in front of Borden as if he had rehearsed hundreds and thousands of times in his heart. Thinking about the end of the movie, poor Angier finally became the winner in an instant. Nolan was never so merciful, the story proceeded cruelly, and the next moment Angier accomplished his greatest tragedy - tearing up Borden's secret and missing the last chance to know the truth.
The Borden brothers who came for revenge (or Borden himself) shot and killed Angier. When he was so angry, Angier cried like a child. Saying that he was fascinated by magic was the expectation of the audience's surprised expressions. The thirst for attention, of course he knows that at this point, his last friend has also betrayed him, and he is the real loser. "Nobody cares about the disappearing person", he is the one who disappears.
At the end of the movie, the fear of "disappearance" cannot be dissipated. The object of Angier's revenge is not Borden, but an "ordinary" fate. Angier's fate, and Borden's fate, is the fate of each of us.
View more about The Prestige reviews
