Re: A Mimetic Reading of "The Prestige" -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 06:22:52 03/16/08 Sun
Author: Janelle
Subject: Re: A Mimetic Reading of "The Prestige"
In reply to: Shannon 's message, "A Mimetic Reading of "The Prestige"" on 13:57:51 03/13/08 Thu

It's funny because this is one of my favorite movies but I haven't watched it or really thought about it since this classbegan. You're right, Shannon, this movie is perfect for mimetic theory. As soon as I read your post all of the doubles from the film began running through my mind.

From the twin brothers, to alter egos developed and assumed, to the double Angier hires and coaches to aid in in his impossible tricks, to the doubles of Angier created by Tesla's machine. What is really interesting is Tesla's attitude towards his own machine, when Angier commissions Tesla to build such a machine this conversation takes place:

Nikola Tesla: Have you considered the cost of such a machine?
Robert Angier: Price is not an object.
Nikola Tesla: Yes, but have you considered the *cost*?

Of course the idea of "cost" finally hits home with Angier at the end of the movie wherein he expresses te fear that overwhelmed him every night he performed his most dangerous and most famous trick. With the involvement of so many doubles Angier says he always feared and wondered "Would I be the man in the box or the prestige?" Would he live another day, would he live to be himself? Or would he be considered the double, used only for a one time trick and then immediately disposed of?

I also love he fact that Nikola Tesla is played by David Bowie, and in relation to alter egos assumed, especially by Angier at the end, Bowie is a master of alter egos (Aladdin Sane, Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, etc), constantly imitating and acting out new roles. Just an interesting note...

Great post Shannon and great movie.

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