It turns out this phrase "Man's Reach Exceeds His Imagination" is a quote often attributed to this movie, where I first heard it, but it's a variation of Robert Browning's line "A man's reach should exceed his grasp" its actually from his poem, ‘Andrea del Sarto’ that matches Hugh Jackman's character Robert Angier.
The Prestige is a near perfect film, and this scene gets me every time. I am a big believer in pushing beyond what is possible and building what you dream, but do not believe in doing it by any means necessary like Robert Angier in the film. The Prestige teaches so many great lessons, but this one I think is the best lesson it teaches.
Plus it has David Bowie playing Tesla like a real life lightning wizard.
For man is perfected not merely by what he achieves, but by the good he becomes in pursuit of the true, the good, and the beautiful.
God teaches us that the way we pursue our goals matters just as much as the goals themselves.