Dunkirk
As I continue my own “Odyssey” through Nolan’s back catalogue I was a bit apprehensive about this one. I gave it 3* the last time I watched it and remember not loving it.
Well, this time I did. It was a great film and I think the things I thought were bad last time are the tuna that I really liked this time - the lack of dialogue, the non-linear story, the absence of a true protagonist. Each of these made the film seem realer and a truer encapsulation of war.
The split timelines are great and are a smart way of highlighting the contribution of each to the evacuation. Had the story been told linearly then the RAF wouldn’t have arrived until the last hour and their contribution would have seemed less - this way it truly showed how vital they were.
The lack of dialogue coupled with Hans Zimmer’s great score help show the intensity and futility of their situation and I loved that this time around.
And the absence of a true protagonist meant that everyone seemed dependable, heightening the stakes and, again, making it seem more real. Nolan is so good at creating a narrative that makes you care and I felt that so much throughout this, even without that emotional centre that you usually find with a protagonist.
Still not my favourite Nolan, but I did enjoy it a lot more than I expected to.
Kenneth Branagh, Jack Lowden and Cillian Murphy the standout performances.
Where? - HBO Max