Christopher Nolan's Inception

[redfirebird2008]

While everyone is focusing on the reality issue, I think this is the most interesting analysis of what the film really means:

http://www.theawl.com/2010/07/the-key-to-inception-its-a-movie-about-making-movies

Devin at CHUD originally brought this up but I think the above article goes even more in-depth. Apparently DiCaprio compared the film to Fellini's 8½ and it will be interesting to see if that comparison grows stronger as time goes by and more people start looking at the film through this metaphorical lens.

 

[Brother Jack]

The Prestige was kind of like that; an allegory to moviemaking comparing the filmmaker to that of a magician.

 

[Solidus]

The film really has no "locked" meaning. But it for sure is an interesting one.

I think it also is about what is reality/what is not is a huge chunk of the thought process. I think him being a fan of Blade Runner definatley shows itself here more than ever.

 

[redfirebird2008]

The film really has no "locked" meaning. But it for sure is an interesting one.

I think it also is about what is reality/what is not is a huge chunk of the thought process. I think him being a fan of Blade Runner definatley shows itself here more than ever.

It definitely has elements of both in there, but I think people are getting so wrapped up in the incredible buzz-worthy ending of the film and then going down a bunch of rabbit holes about the reality of the film that they are missing the forest for the trees so to speak. The filmmaking metaphor is the strongest aspect of the film if it is indeed an autobiographical reflection on the challenges Nolan faces as a filmmaker. I especially like the comparison of Mal to the auteur impulse. I also think the line at the beginning of the film where Cobb tells Saito that he needs to let him completely into his mind for the whole thing to work is actually Nolan talking to the audience. The film starts with a very confusing 20 minute sequence involving multiple dreams on different timelines. And yet that line seems to be telling us to stick with it instead of closing our minds and giving up on the film, which would be very easy to do.

 

[Solidus]

Disagree. It is there but the ending is the least part to me that deals with what is reality and not. On my fifth viewing there are many subtleties and ideas/shots int he movie that point more towards of asking what is real and what is not.

I don't think some are getting wrapped up in the buzz of it. It is just there. That and like I said some focus too much on the ending. To me that is great and asks questions, but that is by far not the only part.

I've read this idea with Devin early on, and there are parts of it I agree on and that is a theme of it. But therre is are many more themes than just that, that is just a small part of it.

One of the big ones is one Ebert brought up of the ultimate question of the universe. Where did we come from? How did we come to be? Just like a half-remembered dream we try to piece together what little info we have in trying to figure out our place in this universe and what we as humans differ in and try to claim as our reality, either it be religions or science we seem to form our reality around it.

Each additional time I see this film, it truly does deepen in the rabbit hole. There is more than just one or two themes in here.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Disagree. It is there but the ending is the least part to me that deals with what is reality and not. On my fifth viewing there are many subtleties and ideas/shots int he movie that point more towards of asking what is real and what is not.

I don't think some are getting wrapped up in the buzz of it. It is just there. That and like I said some focus too much on the ending. To me that is great and asks questions, but that is by far not the only part.

I've read this idea with Devin early on, and there are parts of it I agree on and that is a theme of it. But therre is are many more themes than just that, that is just a small part of it.

One of the big ones is one Ebert brought up of the ultimate question of the universe. Where did we come from? How did we come to be? Just like a half-remembered dream we try to piece together what little info we have in trying to figure out our place in this universe and what we as humans differ in and try to claim as our reality, either it be religions or science we seem to form our reality around it.

Each additional time I see this film, it truly does deepen in the rabbit hole. There is more than just one or two themes in here.

I agree, there's definitely a lot of different and very interesting themes in the film. But if the Fellini comparison is at the heart of the film for Nolan, then I would imagine this was the most personal film he's ever made. As a fan of his work, that kicks it up a notch for me.

 

[Solidus]

And that could be. I think it is a theme in there but the reality/not reality seems to even be in that theme it self.

Film making is about convincing an audience and giving them a feel of reality in a world that does not exist, with characters that are made up.

But yea great film, I see more Phillip K. Dick as the heart of this film, but that's the nice thing about it its so full of stuff we will chew on many ideas and theories for years to come I'm sure.

This time though WB better give us a good Blu Ray with LOTS OF EXTRAS. TDK had hardly any.

 

[redfirebird2008]

And that could be. I think it is a theme in there but the reality/not reality seems to even be in that theme it self.

Film making is about convincing an audience and giving them a feel of reality in a world that does not exist, with characters that are made up.

The reality thing is definitely part of the filmmaking metaphor, and it's precisely what makes that metaphor tie in so well with this particular film.

 

[Solidus]

Oh yea its there. But there is just so much there it will take many viewings for me to explore them all for sure.

But for me the "Dickian" sci fi depth and questions are there in present in full. And I can't wait to be able to watch this on blu and be able to pause and rewind it at my leisure lol.

 

[Anita18]

This time though WB better give us a good Blu Ray with LOTS OF EXTRAS. TDK had hardly any.

Nolan has this thing about not discussing what really goes on his movies though, especially the themes and story and characters. The only commentaries he does are mostly technical. He leaves the rest for the audience to ponder on.

If they add any special features that discuss one possibility over another, it'll cheapen the movie.

Unless they have philosophers or dream experts go over EVERY possibility. That would be awesome.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Nolan has this thing about not discussing what really goes on his movies though, especially the themes and story and characters. The only commentaries he does are mostly technical. He leaves the rest for the audience to ponder on.

If they add any special features that discuss one possibility over another, it'll cheapen the movie.

Unless they have philosophers or dream experts go over EVERY possibility. That would be awesome.

I hope Nolan doesn't say a word about the reality aspect.

 

[Tony Stark]

And that could be. I think it is a theme in there but the reality/not reality seems to even be in that theme it self.

Film making is about convincing an audience and giving them a feel of reality in a world that does not exist, with characters that are made up.

But yea great film, I see more Phillip K. Dick as the heart of this film, but that's the nice thing about it its so full of stuff we will chew on many ideas and theories for years to come I'm sure.

This time though WB better give us a good Blu Ray with LOTS OF EXTRAS. TDK had hardly any.

I have to agree with you. The themes of Phillip K. Dick are all throughout this movie, and what I love most about the ending is Nolan smartly does not answer the question for us.

There are also themes of dealing with grief and letting go, and how those things tend to catch up to us if we don't deal with them. We all have our "basement" so to speak that if we don't go down and clean it out it may not be visible, but it's there none the less.

 

[Anita18]

While everyone is focusing on the reality issue, I think this is the most interesting analysis of what the film really means:

http://www.theawl.com/2010/07/the-key-to-inception-its-a-movie-about-making-movies

Devin at CHUD originally brought this up but I think the above article goes even more in-depth. Apparently DiCaprio compared the film to Fellini's 8½ and it will be interesting to see if that comparison grows stronger as time goes by and more people start looking at the film through this metaphorical lens.

Ooh this is fun!

 

[Solidus]

Nolan has this thing about not discussing what really goes on his movies though, especially the themes and story and characters. The only commentaries he does are mostly technical. He leaves the rest for the audience to ponder on.

If they add any special features that discuss one possibility over another, it'll cheapen the movie.

Unless they have philosophers or dream experts go over EVERY possibility. That would be awesome.

I don't mean by any means to explain the film. Just more features. The making of things. A documentary on dreams and the meanings of them stuff like that. By no means do I want things answered by the crew. I just wants loads of features that make us ponder more. Blade Runner had great features without really trying to provide an answer.

 

[redfirebird2008]

There are also themes of dealing with grief and letting go, and how those things tend to catch up to us if we don't deal with them. We all have our "basement" so to speak that if we don't go down and clean it out it may not be visible, but it's there none the less.

Yep, that was a great element of the film. The part where he finally lets go was both heartbreaking and comforting at the same time.

 

[gap5ewl]

Definitely a 10/10. That was a complete mind **** of a movie yet strangely grounded in reality. Definitely one of the best I've seen in a while. I am kind of getting sick of those "you decide" endings though.

 

[Doctor Jones]

But with Inception it makes sense?

Why would you be sick of it if it makes sense and fits with the theme of the film?

 

[Ziggyman]

Can someone please remind me...

Spoiler

What was Cobb's basement "floor" memory?

 

[TNC9852002]

I've seen it 3 times, but I'm ready to see it AGAIN.

Will probably check it out again this weekend...

Can someone please remind me...

Spoiler

What was Cobb's basement "floor" memory?

Spoiler

The Anniversary night - Mal's suicide

 

[childeroland]

A question: Why doesn't Arthur

Spoiler

scoop Cobb out of the van after he's kicked the rest of the team out of Fischer's and Arthur's dreams and into Yusef's? He leaves Cobb before Ariadne tells him Cobb went to Limbo to get Saito, doesn't he? Does Arthur figure that if Cobb drowns in the van (and he doesn't seem able to get Cobb out of the van) he'll just awake in the real world?

__________________

 

[redhawk23]

Can someone please remind me...

Spoiler

What was Cobb's basement "floor" memory?

Spoiler

the hotel room where he saw mal jump to her death

 

[redhawk23]

can any one explain to me exactly how the music count down worked?

 

[DACrowe]

I can belatedly say...very good. This was a crackerjack of a puzzlebox and superbly crafted from all angles. Well acted, directed, shot, etc. A beautiful film.

But it left me wanting emotionally. For all this talk of catharsis the only characters that had any empathy, I thought, were Ellen Page's and Cillian Murphy's. Cobb was too cold and the rest of the team was underdeveloped.

But a very entertaining film that was superbly written, plotted, etc. 9/10.

I still think The Dark Knight, Memento and The Prestige are better though.

 

[TNC9852002]

can any one explain to me exactly how the music count down worked?

They used the music to let everyone know that a synchronized kick was coming or that the dream machine is about to wake them up.

 

[Figs]

can any one explain to me exactly how the music count down worked?

From what I can remember, when someone gets the headset on they can hear the music playing in their dream on the next level down. When the music is done is when they're supposed to do the kick.

That one scene where Levitt's character is going down the stairs before he hits zero gravity, he can hear the music and says something along the lines of "it's too soon".

Someone correct me if i'm wrong.