Dunkirk

custard · 22 Jul 2017

If you're expecting a "normal" film you might find Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" a bit weird.

There are three stories played out over the duration of the film ("Land", "Sea", and "Air") but each story covers a different time length, so it all looks like a giant continuity error until you figure out what the director's doing.

Then there's the dialogue, or rather lack of dialogue, the last film I saw with less dialogue had Charlie Chaplin in it!

And it's also a surprise to see the film's biggest name actor (Tom Hardy) put on a pilot's face mask at the start and not take it off again until the end, they must be the film industry's most expensive eyebrows.

But, weird or not, it's absolutely brilliant and if you only see one film this year make it "Dunkirk".

One thing though, if you possibly can see it on an Imax screen, or failing that try and find a cinema showing a 70mm rather than 35mm print. It's not just for the visuals, those theatres are likely to have far better sound systems, and Dunkirk is special for the musical score and sound effects just as much as the visuals.

Amazing.

monkeybiter · 22 Jul 2017

Re. Tom Hardy's eyebrows, I recognised him in the trailers immediately, even over the mask.
Thanks for the mini review custard, it will be useful, as would a few more film threads from time to time, but interest seems to be minimal.

JSW · 22 Jul 2017

I'm a huge fan of Nolans work, Inception remains my personal (along with The Departed) all time favourite, lost track of how many times I've watched, just mesmerising. (If the Totem is so personal, and unique to each person, why does Cobb have his wifes Totem?)

The Prestige also, fantastic film, multi-layered again like Inception, but this time based in magic .. or is it. Worth the price of admission for a knockout performance from one David Bowie, indeed stellar cast throughout

Speaking of which Interstellar has to get a mention. Nope, lost me there, shockingly bad with too few brief moments where the greatness that should have been, just never happened.

So I'm wary now of Dunkirk, reviews seem to be falling over themselves with how great it is, but I still have a bad taste from Interstellar. I will wait, let all the hoo-ha die down for a few months, then watch with a free and independant mind.

That, or I'll go next week. :wink: