This review is going to start in the most, well, unlikely of ways. I want you to imagine a piece of Dough. Yes, I said dough. And no, this is not an attempt at some sort of Derren Brown esque hypnotism. The initial compact piece of dough represents Nolan's work on the Dark Knight trilogy. Roll it out, and the dough becomes thinner. This larger in size, smaller in thickness, piece of dough portrays the films Memento, and most notably, Inception. Keep rolling further, and further. Soon this initially compact and thick piece of dough will become larger in size. But, also thin. This is Interstellar. However, whereas many critics have deemed this thinness to be an indication of plot holes, or narrative flaws, I feel that it is simply not relevant. Interstellar is a very special film. And the small quibbles people have with the plot and the final act, are just unavoidable seeing as this is a film that revolves around theories of relativity, and time and space itself. You will encounter paradoxes a plenty, but, won't every film that deals with such concepts do the same. The faults are unavoidable, therefore inert in affecting ones enjoyment and opinions on what truly is a modern day classic.
Firstly, the visuals are earth shatteringly tremendous. Departing from his regular cinematographer, Wally Pfister, was a big shock to many people who had charted the duos work since the film that started it all, Memento. However, Hoyte Van Hoytema notable for his BAFTA nominated work on 2011's Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, succeeds in delivering what is Nolan's most ambitious vision to date. Sat in the cinema, as I was today, I was just awe-inspired. The cinematographer presents an amazing gravitas, which is amazing seeing as, well, the film takes place in the recesses of space.
As well as this, the cast is very strong indeed. McConaughey is a wonderful and likeable leading actor, walking the line of humanity that provides the emotional heartstrings that are played as gracefully as a harp throughout the picture. His character Cooper is essentially roped into a mission, where he must abandon his family, in order to find a new world for the human race to inhabit. The abandonment of his family is the main emotional link that the audience follows. And if McConaughey fails to convincingly portray the relationship between farther and his children, the film would be left cold. However, McConaughey is very convincing as a Dad, and handles every demand that Interstellar throws at him. There is one scene, that is just so brutal with its depth of emotion, that McConaughey's handling of the scene is just amazing. In addition, Ann Hathaway and Jessica Chastain are also terrific. Hathaway, is perhaps the weaker of the three. But, her portrayal of Brand still plays a great dynamic for Cooper to play off. Jessica Chastain however, is a much more strong, both in terms of her character and her performance. She handles her scene, with distinct professionalism almost on par with the films leading man.
However, the main A-list attribute is simply it's director. Yes, Christopher Nolan is a of a dying breed of directors (like Tarantino and Scorcsese ) who overshadows the actors and picture itself. The director's pacing and ability to captivate audiences into tackling that they may otherwise overlook speaks tantamount to his command of audience. He, and his brother, have created a highly original story that is just a spectacle to comprehend not only witness. And although much criticism has been made toward the ending/final quarter being the major disappointment of the film, all I can do is encourage everyone to witness and contemplate their stance, before making judgement. I personally love it's ambition and balls in many ways, and reveals that Nolan is a director who focuses on story first, rather than commercial appeal.
However, I think Nolan is perhaps the reason why this film has came under such undeserved criticism. If the fandom, as a result of Nolan's involvement, wasn't so astronomically high in the first place many critics may have seen Interstellar as a triumph. However, as audiences and fans have consistently became more demanding of Nolan as a director, the film's press has suffered as a result. If an unknown, or lesser known, director had dawned this then I really do believe that this film would be classed higher than it is at the moment.
To wrap things up, Nolan is a director who understands imagery, who understands spectacle. Perhaps there is a lack of rigour throughout the picture. This is a film that does place sentimentality higher than realism. But, in a film that has been spread to such vast ambition as interstellar travel, this focus on emotion over logic, which has been the focal point of critics, is pointless to object to. This was a truly entertaining movie that succeeds on every level of both intellect, ambition and visual spectical. I feel that much like 2001: A Space Odyssey this film will be initially thwarted by critics but soon will be considered a classic.
IMDB: 9.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes; 72%
Did You Know? Features the most ever footage shot using 15/70mm IMAX cameras for a feature film, and, due to the film industry's rapid conversion to digital projection formats, will potentially be the last feature film ever to be projected on 15/70mm IMAX film.
No comments:
Post a Comment