Highlights
The world cinema is condensed with the audience being able to access spectacular pieces of cinema and stories that transcends the barriers of language, relevance and even imagination. If the case is such, then Christopher Nolan’s contribution in widening the scope of audience with his in-depth plots that are layered and narrated for an edge of the seat experience.
Only 12 movies deep, Nolan has certainly captivated a huge set of audience with an outstanding set of films from his feature debut in 1998 to his Oscar Winning biographical drama ‘Oppenheimer’ in 2023. His journey with every exceptional filmmaking and spectacular creations full of logic, stunning visuals, Christopher Nolan has rented a place for himself in Hollywood.
Following (1998)
Christopher Nolan’s debut feature that interestingly was made on a ultra low budget of 6000 USD, is probably Nolan’s only amateurish works, rightfully so. A movie that is technically and monetarily limited but nevertheless shows a flicker of talent that would later be recognised and appreciated worldwide. It is also to be noted that right from the first film, Nolan has set his non linear narrative structure clearly written, along with grey and manipulative characters with conflicting intentions like Cobb who ironically goes on to rob multiple strangers with the intention of making them realise their gifts in life. The filmmaker with a stumbling step, placed a foot in the door with ‘Following’ that also sort of defined his style of filmmaking, Nolan as a writer and the saw the sprouting of his imagination.
Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan directing Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss on the set of Memento (2000) pic.twitter.com/ICJhD3Wcw5
— Christopher Nolan Art & Updates (@NolanAnalyst) December 6, 2024
One of Nolan’s technically and methodically written strong works, his second film, ‘Memento’ follows the story of a person with anterograde amnesia plotting to avenge his wife’s killers and causing this medical state. This movie also used the play of colours in indicating the sequence as the black and white sequences narrate the story chronologically but are scattered in reverse while the coloured sequences are the aftermath of the tragedy, thus must be taken as the secondary sequence. ‘Memento’ with these carefully calculated colour sequences that are overlapped at points also in hindsight trigger the emotions of how the protagonist is struggling to make new memories of his own, leading him to live in the darkness of his tragic past. Many critics and fans still consider this as a cult film in the director’s filmography.
Insomnia (2002)
The film that granted Nolan his big breakthrough in terms of budget, casting big actors and even limiting his personal abilities by not writing his movie. ‘Insomnia’ is the remake of a Norwegian film that follows two cops investigating a teenage murder in the cold Alaskan region while one officer accidentally shoots his partner, resulting in a snowball of events of deception, pact with the local rowdy gang and the protagonist’s personal struggle of fighting the guilt. The way Nolan planted Robin Williams for an antagonist role opposite to Al Pacino for a compelling story is a strong psychological drama. Nolan himself later chose Insomnia to be his one underrated film, as he managed to handle a bigger budget and comparatively prominent actors.
Batman Begins (2005)
An unexpected premise for a Nolan film, yet one of the highly watched is the Batman series, which is the first superhero franchise series as Nolan’s plate seemed to be filled with mind bending, metaphysical thrillers. This movie was a surprise package as the casting and inclusion of supporting actors from far ends and big leagues while also reviving the Batman notion with a origin story that was both fresh and lends an emotional connect. The movie also seeded the Dark Knight Trilogy that gradually shifts the focus from Batman to the antagonist, Joker. Nolan’s Batman also stands in a separate league from the rest of DC and even the superhero universes.
The Prestige (2006)
A challenging period film that captures the rivalry, ego and steaming competition between two successful magicians Angier and Borden in the sophisticated London society. Their companionship breaks after a tragic accident leading to the death of Angier’s wife resulting in the former collaborators competing to make the most grand, never seen before magic tricks. Nolan’s magic is dusted right from casting interesting actors for the project like the legendary musician David Bowie for the role of real life genius Nikola Tesla or in casting Scarlett Johanson who he particularly wanted for the role of Angier and Borden’s assistant. He also invested his love for physics in ‘Prestige’ with the magicians relying on scientific and logically practical tricks with the help of engineers also leading the narrative with the rivalry drama. The movie apart from reuniting Christian Bale and Michael Caine from the Batman Begins movie but also cemented his usual team of production designer Nathan Crowley and Editor Lee Smith, who will be a great part in Nolan’s journey till date.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The second DC franchise from Nolan’s desk, the Dark Knight Trilogy was heavily leaning on the screenplay and story unlike any of the other superhero movies which were basically following the rise and fall of a hero. Nolan even uses the psychological elements of Joker and Batman on and off their characters, indulging the audience in an oscillation of good and evil and everything in between. The characters of Dent, Gordon and even Rachel are all part of the mega circus that crosses the line of what is good, honesty and swaying human mentalities. The character of Joker, played by the talented Heath Ledger is one of the best performances of the millennium, rightfully bagging the Oscar awards for The Best Supporting Actor. It is here the depth of understanding and scope written on paper for developing the character of Joker, Nolan stands out.
Inception (2010)
A certified psychology buff, Nolan looks for the connotation of a basic understanding of Lucid Dreams incorporating it with the screenplay of dream stealers. This idea has been in development for years as Nolan actually pitched the idea to Warner Bros way before the film came into production. ‘Inception’ created a ripple effect among the cinema watchers with its non linear narrative and the very core of playing and coiling with reality and the dream world. The clarification for many came after multiple watches but proposed the idea that Nolan’s understanding and execution of luminous stories, crisp and varying characters who in their own have a goal like the character of Ariadne, a mix of being a proxy to the viewers who is introduced to Cobb’s plan meanwhile also having the expanse of neutralising the plot. Also for including the elements of femme fatale with the character of Mal that inevitably runs and deviates the plot in hindsight.
Zendaya and Anne Hathaway joins Christopher Nolan’s Upcoming Movie with Tom Holland
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The final and the most perfect end for the Dark Knight Trilogy, the third installment follows the story of a retired Wayne, who is being tested once again with a new villain named Bane who all but tries to launder the corruption and annex the crimes in Gotham City. Nolan along with Jonathan Nolan, his brother and frequent co- writer along with David S. Goyer visited the references from comic book stories like ‘Knightfall’ and ‘No Man’s Land’. The story, just like Batman Begins, puts Wayne back on field but gives him a triggering reason for a nuclear reactor apart from a convincing story and backstory for the mastermind villain Talia al Ghul. With several superhero moments and inspiring callbacks, the Dark Knight Rises wrapped the trilogy decisively.
Interstellar (2014)
A visual marvel, unparalleled spectacle with a massive fan community who have praised the filmmaker’s vision and a worldwide celebration of Hans Zimmer’s music. Interstellar has sufficiently made us believe that love and sacrifice can transcend galaxies and survive time of hurdles, dystopia and also leaving us with a beautiful poetic recognition of belief. One of Nolan’s stand out movies in terms of reception and making as the practical locations that felt alien under the lens of Hoyte Van Hoytema, and the disbelieving fact that Nolan actually laid down the acres of Corn, only to be destroyed for a dynamic sequence of chase, the movie is still loved. Known for including scientific and logical accuracy, Nolan hired astrophysicist Kip Thorne as a consultant and made the movie that would withstand and abide the established laws of physics. There is no doubt Christopher Nolan added his own imagination in creating and playing around the possibility and extent of scientific theories and the known and unknown territories of space.
Tenet (2020)
Released amidst the pandemic in 2020, Tenet went through years of production and finally screened as one of the first theatrical releases in Hollywood post Covid. Nolan developed the idea that a covenant group known as Tenet would work on tracking objects that are an anomaly to the present timeline, said to be from the past but will be connected to the attack from the future and present. The plot outright sounds like a tangled mess, right on the cue of Nolan’s filmography, Tenet as a word even fits right for the story as the filmmaker goes deep from choosing the cast, the title and even with the prospect of the story deviating and merging at points. The real locations, visual effects and every aspect of productions is sewed right into the plot, only adding to the several layers of detail. The notion of toying with different timelines and making the audience engaging along with the underwire of drama and the mind boggling palindrome even in terms of music, screenplay. It is also to be noted that while Nolan is adapting the reversing on entropy and laying it for the time reversing, he has also used contradicting laws such as The second law of thermodynamics and Maxwell’s demon, the latter stands to disprove the prior.
Oppenheimer (2023)
A World War 2 biographical film that follows the life and highlights of theoretical physicist Robert J. Oppenheimer. Nolan’s fascination with physics combined with psychological and metaphysical aspects of building a compelling story around a protagonist is reflected in Oppenheimer. The movie with several backlash in portraying the insensitivity of nuclear bombing in Japan and the aftermath of the societal tragedy was narrowly focusing on a singular figure who has technically not opened but built a Pandora’s Box, leading to the dawning of curse for mankind. While many question the non linear narrative for following the journey of a scientist who is already stuck in his head while conducting the Trinity test, his clash with Strauss and the eventual Senate hearing. This already convoluted plot with the sheer making of the film through the stern choices of Nolan in creating practical and literal production designs bagged him and the crew seven Academy awards and 13 nominations.
In the words of another fascinating filmmaker, Guillermo Del Toro, ‘Nolan is an emotional mathematician’, an acute observation as the filmmaker does delve into the complex topics of mathematical and physics theories with the active addition of psychological aspects. An impressive feat for a filmmaker who is uncompromising and adamant to an extent in making every project in his way.
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