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Inception’ defies description

Posted on Jul 26, 2010 in Features

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“Inception” is one of those films that defy easy description. Though the reception to “Inception” has largely been positive and the box office highly profitable – a rare case of public and critical sensibilities lining up in tandem- one look at the message boards at any given major critical site shows a house divided.

Some think it’s the best film of the summer so far, while others think it’s a load of hooey that couldn’t possibly hold up to close inspection.

Even more controversial is the out and out resistance to an explanation for it all. No sooner has one critic/blogger claimed they know exactly what went down in the movie and what it all means, when another critic/blogger pops up to refute said explanation altogether.

The whole love-it-or-hate-it nature of the “Twilight” phenomenon notwithstanding (which tends to be pretty cut-and-dried when all is said and done), “Inception” is easily the most debated film in years.

Though few seem to outright hate it, no one can seem to definitively puzzle out what it all truly means, or indeed, adequately explain what the hell happened over the course of the film, period. One thing’s for sure, though- everyone has an opinion.

I’m not even going to try and explain the plot since it would drive a guy to madness, but basically it can roughly be summed up by the following: dream-thieves are hired to become dream infiltrators, with an objective of implanting rather retrieving a memory.

That’s about as simple as I make things. Suffice it to say, that’s only the tip of the iceberg, but my space is limited, so it’ll have to do.

What is easier to comment on is the film as a whole. I love that I knew so little about the film when I sat down to see it. Nothing is more annoying than a trailer that gives too much away. Indeed, the trailer for “Shutter Island” nearly ruined my enjoyment of that film.

The star of that film, Leonardo DiCaprio, fares far better here. It’s the kind of film that will surely inspire spirited debate for years to come, and is very much the type of film that encourages- even warrants- a second viewing, which may well account for all those ticket sales.

So what does it all mean? And does “Inception” stand up to close scrutiny? Given all the debating, it seems clear that no one answer will suffice, but there are more than a few credible possibilities floating around there in cyberspace.
This may well have been the intentions of writer/director Christopher Nolan in the first place. After all, his Batman reboot notwithstanding, Nolan is nothing if not a guy who loves a good brain twister.

Witness his other efforts, which include the near-equally maddening “Memento,” the nifty magician-centric “The Prestige” and his underrated and little-seen film debut, “Following.”

Helping immeasurably are the eye-popping special effects, which are like an M.C. Escher picture come to life.
Factor in a Rube Goldberg-ian sensibility to the plot (think the ultimate game of “Mouse Trap”) and the whole thing plays like the most oddball board game ever. “Jumangi” and “Zathura” have nothing on “Inception.”

Nolan was also savvy enough to pick up the story in a way that immerses the viewer completely so that you’re hooked right away. Then he pulls back just long enough to explain things carefully, at least to a degree.

Nolan’s coup de grace is the casting of beloved “Juno” actress, Ellen Page, who serves as a surrogate for the audience.

As she figures out what’s going on, so do we piece by piece, before Nolan rips the carpet out from under us again (and again and again…) with a plot that circles back in on itself, ending where it begins. Is it all a dream?

Did any of the events of the film actually take place or is it all in DiCaprio’s character’s head? Who knows? Honestly, who cares when the end results are so entertaining?

Summer of 2010; meet your first blockbuster that actually requires a working brain- even if yours’ ends up fried trying to figure it all out after you leave the theatre.

Myself, I’m just grateful to live in a world where true artists like Nolan are allowed to do their thing without studio interference. “Inception” is one heck of a ride while it lasts, but don’t be surprised if you end up re-boarding for another ride as soon as you can.

Email: ripmrgordo@hotmail.com

 

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