In
Dunkirk, director/writer Christopher
Nolan has meticulously recreated a pivotal moment in history that dramatizes a
major retreat during World War II. It’s an ambitious, brilliantly filmed study
of survival, sacrifice, and heroism that eschews standard narrative for a
methodically structured film, one of the year’s best.
In
1940, some 400,000 desperate British and allied soldiers are hopelessly trapped
by German forces on the beaches of France just miles from England. As military ships, too large for the shallow
waters, are sunk by German bombers and U-boats, smaller civilian boats are
commissioned for a daring rescue as meager, British Spitfires do battle with
German fighters.
This unconventional
film alternates among three settings: ‘Land’ during a week, ‘Sea’ covering one
day, and ‘Air’ within one hour, all of which converge in a thrilling conclusion
(although its
juxtaposition of timelines may be jarring to the uninitiated as Nolan has previously
done in Momento and Inception). The audience becomes firsthand participants
in the film ‘experience’ as it effectively conveys the raw, visceral sights and
sounds of warfare which elicit an emotional response despite seemingly
superficial characters and minimal dialogue.
A
distinguished British cast is led by Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, a noble Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy who emotes winningly behind a
pilot’s mask (with Nolan stalwart, Michael Caine, in an audio cameo.)
Hans
Zimmer’s metronomic score heightens the tension from beginning to end and complements
the striking visuals especially the live action, aerial battles that are
breathtakingly photographed. This film’s
subject and scope demand the best possible presentation that only IMAX and 70mm
can do justice and all under two hours.
After a
distinguished career helming blockbusters like The Dark Knight Trilogy and Interstellar,
this landmark war film may be Nolan’s best and certainly his most personal. Destined for Oscar recognition, Dunkirk is a masterpiece by one of the
true wunderkinds of cinema.
****
of **** stars (subtract ½* if not seen in a theater)
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