Director: Christopher Nolan
By Alex Watson
When a Chris Nolan films rolls around you can always guarantee one thing for sure, this will be no ordinary experience. Continually over the past decade, the British visionary has made our minds bend in more ways than one. But his plots are always a closely guarded secret and when unveiled to us we are forever left either amazed or dumbfounded by what we have witnessed! This week he tackles space exploration and a mission that may just save the human race. Prepare for all kinds of theories, calculations and inspiring visuals in Interstellar.
In the future, the earth is slowly dying due to a lack of food resources, so to save its existence former astronaut Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) along with Dr Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) and Boyle (Wes Bentley) are sent through the universe on a deep space mission. Through this they must navigate a worm hole that may or may not lead them to a system that can sustain the survival of the human race.
Interstellar again proves that Christopher Nolan is a director at the top of his game and this proves to be an eye opening and thought provoking look at not only what exists in the universe, but humanities instinct for survival. As we open on the dusty and deprived earth, we view humanity virtually forced down onto its knees. Cooper proves to be one of Nolan's strongest leads as we see him as a conflicted former pilot who is being forced into playing reluctant hero on a mission that may not see him return! The emotional depth of Cooper gives his early relationship with his 10 year old daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy) gives the film a beating heart and as watch him drive away teary eyed- we pray for his safe return.
Although slow starting, midway through the film smartly shifts into overdrive and the visual presented to us are remarkable. The impressive CG by Hoyte Van Hoytema show us the great unknown which includes a planet surrounded by gigantic rolling waves, which will play a key role in the events of the mission! But perhaps the smartest element to this whole equation is that the universe is filled with unknown dangers and even the slightest error could result in several years being lost! Tough decisions allow the characters to reveal their true colours and at points battle of wills surface, often to heart stopping effect. Professor Brand's (Michael Caine) quoting of 'Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night' by Dylan Thomas effectively sums up the human spirit and its determination.
But the centre of Interstellar is all about the relationship between father and daughter. Murph is a no ordinary child and Cooper has encouraged her all her life to think outside the box. As older Murph (Jessica Chastain) appears, her initial anger and betrayal him leaving transcends into love and desire to see her father again and this gives her brains she never knew. However it is watching Cooper's pain filled face as he watches the 20 years of un-viewed messages from his children that hit home with such a hard and raw agony.
Even though Nolan's film is a visual masterpiece, its content and ideas may prove to be too heavy going for fair weather film fans. Never one to shy away from smart film making, Christopher and Jonathan Nolan give us a script that is so packed full of physics and morality that it feels as if we are being given a lecture rather than cinematic piece. The final act will firmly divide viewers as we cross through the dimensions of space, black holes to arriving into a destination that will surprise along with frustrating many. But unlike his other pieces, this proves to be Nolan's most heart pouring and genuine pieces.
Matthew McConaughey is an excellent lead choice and after his brillance in Dallas Buyers Club, he shows that he anchored a blockbuster well. Demonstrating a great human touch to his character, Cooper goes down as one of the more emotionally real characters of 2014 and is played with such potent power that he appeals to us from a very early stage. Anne Hathaway is also impressive as the smart yet soulful Dr Brand. But it is Jessica Chastain who firmly claims the supporting ranks with a brief yet impressive turn as the older Murph that captures our hearts.
Interstellar is an impressive and bold blockbuster, but the weight of its own intellect makes the film crumble slightly and we are left afterwards with our minds still traveling at light speed! But it is no less impressive and on a visual scale this is unlikely to be beaten in 2014. Christopher Nolan is a director who will always be challenging his audience, best to start reading for our next encounter!
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