Film: Inception

Inception

I have an unhealthy admiration for Christopher Nolan. I have been a fan of his since Memento, somehow missed Insomnia (and still haven't seen it) but love the Batman films he did. And I love the Prestige too. I have yet seen him do any wrong.

I also love the fact that he has written he has written the thinking man's summer blockbuster. His films usually come out during the time of year when "mindless fun" rules, yet still his smart films seems to bring people in.

To call Inception a complex movie, would be quite the understatement. The film demands that you pay attention. Its twists and turns have twists and turns. But everything you need to know is there on screen.

The plot involves a crew led by Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio). who involves in a special kind of industrial espionage--they steal secrets from people's minds. The crew is about to attempt the impossible. They are going to implant an idea into someone's head. This is incredibly difficult and incredibly dangerous. But dark dealings from Cobb's past jeopardize not only the job, but the lives of the whole crew.

The window dressing is that this film is a caper movie, and it works well in this aspect. The crime goes down in a way that matches up with the best of Steven Soderburgh's Ocean films, only times three. It is on the edge or your seat exciting.

But the film is really about loss of loved ones and how we shape reality to deal with it. It is one of those films where you might thing the action points are the main driving points of the plot, but actually it's the quieter, flashback moments.

There is a lot of talk about the ending and how people are confused by it, but the steps leading up to that ending are all in the film. Not to spoil anything, but anytime you think you caught a continuity error or a plot element doesn't make sense, don't simply assume it was a mistake. They are merely clues.

Inception is simply brilliant. It is so well coordinated that it is a sterling example of the best that film has to offer. I imagine we'll be seeing more of this around Oscar time.