The Tropopause of Dreams - Inception Review

There is an inherent problem with the nature of dreams.  Let me revise that.  There is an inherent problem with the subjective nature of the beholder of a dream.  The key lies in the detail, the moments, which naturally transcribe and proliferate in the 'real' world.

Imagine sharing the same dream.  Each individual would deduce an understanding, an embracing of light, at an altered angle from the other.  This is not solely an issue of volume either.  If we are able to experience the same dream then we draw strength and/or fall to weakness from varying situations and circumstances (after all, we are built from vast pools of reason and moral frameworks).

This is where dreams share a DNA-like identity with cinema.  Like films, they are open to criticism and analysis which amend their standing in public perception, creating fervent support and hatred amongst fans.  Perhaps this is an explanation of our idolization of those who have passed.  Were Marilyn and Cary truly great or have we somehow extracted something which was not there in the first place?  Is the dream truly revelatory? Or is it just a part of our imagination which should remain just that, imagination? 

Pure creation (and entertainment) of one sort or another.

Inception has created this sort of divide.  What is Christopher Nolan attempting to acheive?  A pure distillation of 'Entertainment' or something approaching 'Art'?

My view;  The use of either would be misnomers.  On hindsight this is a straightforward conclusion to arrive at.  The film has already shown it can perform at the box office and the general premise has prompted frantic discussion on internet forums.

A caveat before I summarise what is essentially an overwhelmingly positive view on the film:  Describing the plot is a thankful and pointless task for two reasons;

1) An aspect of the satisfaction gleaned is feeling your way through the plot mechanics as a first-time experience.  I'm not about to dilute that particular nectar...

2) The great red herring of the film is the 'MacGuffin' or the completion of the job for reward.  Cobb's (Leonardo Di Caprio) relationship with his wife, Mal (Marion Cotillard), is the central arch without which the film would be bereft of emotional heft.  The plot very cleverly positions the film as many things, essentially as a thinking-man's actioner.  It's various complexities masking what is ultimately a personal transition from instability to understanding.

What makes the film great (although it is far too early and patronising to call it a masterpiece) is that it is essentially an existentialist tale progressing into emotional reality or perceived stability depending on how you view the Schrodinger's Cat ending...

Concommitant regret, love and commitment are all emotive themes enveloped in this meshwork of ideas and visuals providing a delectable treat for those willing to complete the homework...

Grade: A (9/10)

Loved-up Lusciousness

With Valentine's Day just a night away, here is a selection of five films to add to the gleeful romance, love and fun you may have planned.


When Harry Met Sally
Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.
This has got to be the ultimate in romantic movies. What makes it so great? The fact that it is oh so real and definitely believable! The story revolves around a couple who ultimately end up together after a series of bad relationships and chance encounters.



The film is set over a period of around 12 years and sees the pair hate, tolerate, respect and eventually...love one another.

If it’s to listen Harry’s many insightful quotes on women and relationships, or to laugh at Sally’s fake orgasm, this is definitely one to watch. It appeals to both men and women of all ages and rings true in its depiction of love and relationships. Snuggle up close to your loved one and laugh the night away at this ever so cool rom-com. Then watch... (RM)


Titanic
Starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio
It may be over a decade old, but this film will live on to be one of the biggest romantic films of all time. The film may be based on the story of the unsinkable ship, but it’s the story of this couple love that melts our hearts.

We all know the story of frustrated damsel Rose (Winslet) who is from an upper-class family whose whole life has centred around money, stature and reputation. Her unfulfilling life is turned upside down when she meets Jack (Di Caprio), a lower-class drifter who shows her that there is more to life than tea parties and social engagements.

Their story gives us hope, it gives us faith, that we can be who we want to be and still be loved. Though historically ridiculous, it conveys the message that there is someone out there for everyone and that even the shortest of love stories can be carried with you throughout the rest of your life. It will make you cry, thats for sure, but its a film that will never die in the hearts of the millions around the world caught in its spell. Pass me the tissues! (RM)

Moulin Rouge
Starring Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor
Moulin Rouge is an exuberant red-currant rich sorbet of ideas, performances, extravagance and showiness. Pop culture in two hours. What a film! How to describe it with such limitations. You don't want a thesis...

Baz Luhrmann creates such amazing images and his extensive palette of song and colour just creates a gorgeous meringue which is too sweet and heavenly to dismiss. Kidman and McGregor are terrific but this is all about the overall show. Watch it in high definition and you'll be blown away further...from Bastille to Battersea and everyone in between, it's a film to be adored. (NG)



Before Sunrise/Sunset
Starring Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy
This double bill is the strongest and most resonant love parable of recent times. It triumphs Hollywood blockbusters and other BIG movie events in its intimacy and tenderness.

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are simply fabulous and share such great chemistry they put the likes of Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio to shame. The first film, Before Sunrise, is youthful and elegaic whereas Before Sunset, shadows the maturity of its mid-aged and world worn protagonists (almost completely viewed in real time). The revelations lie in the screenplays which hop through family tales, politics, war, the environment and the unpredictable meandering streams of life.



On top of this, Before Sunset ends with what is possibly the greatest ending to a romantic drama EVVVVEEEER. It will stay with you through every positive and negative amoral experience in life. (NG)

And an indulgent 6th film...

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Starring Audrey Hepburn & George Peppard
She's the most beautiful of brats, a feline carousel and yet even the toughest cat can be tamed!

Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution

Over a decade has passed since that film about a sinking boat swept the world OVER and OVER and OVER (and over and over again...and...you get the picture).

Since those most dizzying times, the starlets who graced that film have gone on to acheive critical acclaim on their ascent to the A-List (BILLY ZANE I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU!!). Amazingly, Revolutionary Road is the first time 'Our Kate(TM)' and Leonardo Di Caprio have shared a scene together since 1997.

Revolutionary Road, adapted from the Richard Yates novel of the same name, tells the tale of Frank and April Wheeler (DiCaprio and Winslet) and their entrapment in suburban dystopia in post-war America. Frozen socially (and spiritually!), the couple set up to move to Paris with their two children. However, unplanned events pullulate awkwardly creating the rumblings which precede an EMOTIONAL AVALANCHE.

Without giving too much away, the film succeeds as a good adaptation of a classic work. Admittedly the screenplay lacks the boldness or depth of characterization developed in the novel but it still delivers a gut punch mainly due to the strong performances of the ensemble cast. Kate Winslet is terrific as April Wheeler. Open and stubborn, loving yet aggressive. Ultimately its the fragility of the woman she is portraying that gives the performance that extra dimension. It was a toss up as to which performance she would be nominated for come Oscar night. I actually prefer this performance to The Reader (I guess Ricky Gervais was depressingly right. NAZIS! WINSLET! HOLOCAUST! WEINSTEIN! OSCAR! OSCAR! OSCAR!).
Thankfully, Michael Shannon's scene stealing performance was recognised in the supporting actor category.

Finally I must insessantly clamor for recognition of the work done by Roger Deakins, cinematographer of classics such as No Country For Old Men, Fargo and Shawshank Redemption. His work is what elevates the film into much more than the sum of its individual performances.

Grade: B (7/10)

Revolutionary Road (Dir. Sam Mendes) is released on Friday 30th January.