The Prestige

When Borden tells Sarah's nephew that secrets impress no one, the first time I watched it I had to disagree. I did so because I found myself searching for the secret throughout the entire movie. Later on, however, as I watched it again, I have to agree with Borden. The secret is the part of the trick that everyone looks for but when they find out the trick has no meaning and won't impress anyone. I'd say that the line has a double meaning as well. While he is talking directly to Sarah's nephew, he is also talking to the viewers. He is telling us not to tell anyone the secret if we figure it out. I think Christopher Nolan didn't intend for this but it still applies because of the way the plot thickens and is set up. I also feel like Angier feels differently about secrets. The way he pursues Borden's secret suggests that he values the secret to the trick much, much more than the trick itself. I think he feels this way because he is naturally a better showman than Borden so he doesn't worry about building the trick up to the climax because it comes naturally. This would help explain his obsession for the secret, in my opinion.