Once in a while, a film comes along that not only helps redefine cinema, but it also asks some very deep and interesting philosophical questions. Inception, a film by Christopher Nolan, may not necessarily redefine cinema in literal terms, but Mr. Nolan has ushered in an age where the imagination is the only obstacle standing in our way in terms of film making.
With a very tight script, deliberate directing, mature acting and a flair for challenging our perception, Inception has allowed us to question our interpretation of reality, the meaning of dreams and even suggest that we challenge the established order. What I really like about this film is that it does not allow the audience to become complacent; it forces them to think about the characters, the plot and all the plot devices.
This movie is an onion; there are many layers and each layer becomes more and more vivid. Each layer also contains a different setting and this is where Nolan really shines, even if it is inadvertent. The level of detail in lighting and set production really solidifies the film and I would venture to say, even makes you care about the characters and the goal they are trying to achieve. From a rain swept cityscape, to a retro-modern hotel, a frigid snow bunker and a urban prison, the settings are a refined detail that really captured me.
The soundtrack is truly a masterpiece. Composed by Hans Zimmer, it uses many different musicians as inspiration. The music is quintessential to the many moods of the film and give the scenes that extra spark of life. Watch the trailer to hear what I'm talking about. The score gives the sense meandering at a chaotic pace, but at the same time, it has purpose at a higher, big picture level. You could even say that the score is a character in of itself.
On a final note, essentially, this movie is a heist film. Yes, you read that correctly. But instead of stealing an object of great worth, this movie is about the most valuable thing we as people cherish: our minds and ideas. One concept I am really appreciating about Christopher Nolan, his brother (writer) and wife (a producer) is that they are able to take real life situations and events and incorporate them into a movie that may not be related to real life at first glance. The Dark Knight, released two years ago, showcased contemplations on terrorism, chaos, escalation of a situation and questions whether we have the right to do something illegal to serve the common good. Inception does much of the same by questioning the practices of corporations that strive to maintain an edge in their niche market. In this case, it is two energy moguls attempting to gain higher market shares. But all of that is in the background. Inception questions our perspective of reality and how our minds are really only limited by ourselves. To top it all off, the film further questions our impact on people and how we must take care of what kind of influence we have over others, especially if that influence come from a place of power.
I urge you to see this movie, in IMAX, if you can . It is very much worth your money. Leave a comment and let me know what you thought of it.
The Times of India, among other news outlets, reports that scientists working at the Universities of Sheffield and Warwick have discovered that the chicken DID come before the egg. Read the article for more info.
