It’s not very often that I see a movie and go through with its review too. In modern times, it’s difficult to avoid that and especially when the reviewer is an underground internet sensation (Mia Khalifa). The maker, Christopher Nolan, and Mia Khalifa are two very different personalities and it’s rather more difficult to avoid them.
Though Nolan has his own view on representing and handpicking one of the most gruesome historical events during World War II, his presentation reflecting the events on different timelines for each sub-plot could be confusing for some. The events on the harbor was set for one week (primarily focused on the actor Fionn Whitehead), the events on the sea was set for one day (focused on Mark Rylance), and the events in air was set for one hour (focused on Tom Hardy). The direction and storytelling at such levels may hinder the common sense if it’s already non-existent. Keeping that aside, the cinematographic appeal of the movie is tempting and so is Ms. Khalifa hence my pain and agony.
The movie focuses on the evacuation operation code named Operation Dynamo. I believe others would have easily chosen Battle of Dunkirk as the plot but Nolan always has his own pickings. Operation Dynamo was a successful event in history but the battle was a failure for the allied forces. The horror of that event and the survival instincts of people during that time are mixed and presented diligently by Nolan. Together with Hans Zimmer and Hoyte van Hoytema; Christopher Nolan has provided the ultimate visual and audio experience to the horror of World War II. The class direction without shedding blood on screen is a treat in itself. Similar to the movie Sully, Dunkirk has no dependency on three dimensional effects for the visual treat.
The recurring actors from Nolan’s team were aptly placed on screen and the new ones were chosen carefully. These actors are mostly British and hence the accent. Ms. Khalifa couldn’t hear the dialogue clearly partly due to the funny British accent and partly due to the Hans Zimmer’s background score. The most disturbing part of her review was when she got confused about the timeline and if that event had actually ended World War II in 1940 (and not in 1945). Nevertheless, she now has a Youtube account out of sheer love for Mr. Nolan (I guess).
Though Dunkirk might not be the best work of Mr. Nolan, it is easily one of the best survival war-crime drama. The screenplay of the movie, in most parts, clichéd and this I wasn’t expecting from Mr. Nolan. It is indeed a masterpiece purely from a clean directional point of view.