In ten years and six films, Christopher Nolan has managed to somehow solidify himself as a bona fide Hollywood director. But there is something enigmatic about Mr. Nolan. While most of these directors simply make their films, collect their paychecks and wait for the next sure fire hit to come their way, he by all appearances, takes a vastly different approach. With the exception of Insomnia, he envelopes himself in every aspect from beginning to end in every project he takes on. A writer, director, producer and very rarely has a second unit to assist him, defiantly a rarity in Hollywood. I mention all this simply to illustrate that when Chris Nolan makes a film, in my own opinion, the expectations are extremely elevated and Inception is no exception.
Inception is one of those films to be experienced rather than simply viewed, or dissected. To treat it as another run of the mill film, would be severe injustice and would be unfair. Inception is chalked with a rich and deep story, brilliant acting from the entire cast and you never feel ripped off or cheated, as every plot point is resolved. Even more, than all the aforementioned, it is an artistic film, packed with beautiful scenery that in and of its self tells a story and at times you forget about the characters and story, and get lost in the imagery.
Usually this is the part of the review where I comment on various flaws and parts I really didn’t like. However, I can honestly say there is literally nothing I can disagree with here, Inception is rock solid. The story is told very well, and does not feel like a recycled story that I have seen or heard before. It is complex, however told in such a way that by the end of it all, you understand everything that has gone on. Indeed this is a rare gem in today’s cash grab market and never tries to sell you on something you’ve seen a million times before. Having said that though, it is cleverly disguised as film that it is not, I’ll leave it to you to discover for yourself what type of film Inception actually is.
Christopher Nolan must either be a beast on the set, or he simply is just that respectable. Which ever Nolan film I watch, there is one consistency that occurs, his ability to maximize the talent from the actors he works with, whether they are big names or not. Every one shows up and delivers the performance of their life. It is an amazing event to watch and something I wish I could see more often and in other directors work. Inception does continue this awesome trend, with terrific performances by Leonardo Dicaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Wantanabe, Cillian Murphy and Ellen Page. All are worthy of an Oscar nod, in my own opinion, I am unable to single any one great or dismal performance they were all on the same level, never trying to out act each other.
Inception is one to see, for so many reasons, that there really shouldn’t be any reason not to. It is a motion picture that is for every type of movie viewer. From the casual to the cinephile there is something for everyone to enjoy, and if you only see one movie this summer season, park you seat in front of Inception and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.