In most cases, a movie not enjoyed is a precursor to a poor review. I did not ENJOY Dunkirk. This does not mean that it was anything less than amazing. In this case, it was spectacular.
Many movies set out to entertain and give people an escape, some are there to tell a story. This one is a heartbreaking story. Based on reality. A reality where many men died in a horrific situation. That I left the theater feeling like I had experienced some of the story myself is a huge win for Christopher Nolan. I left heartbroken and on the verge of tears for many of the characters. With the feeling that I left behind some of myself on that beach. Sickened that anyone could affect such death and destruction on other humans. And I left with a feeling of hope. It only peeked through. It began to glow faintly through the darkness of the story, but it was there.
While I didn’t enjoy the movie, I did love the movie. I LOVE the music of Hanz Zimmer, and his soundtrack was a masterpiece and a central character in this movie. The flow was dictated more by the music than the story itself. The intensity built along with the music until the emotional and audible tension were painful, and then a pause. The music took a breath, and so did the characters, and so did the audience. Nolan and Zimmer created an emotional ride through this story, pushing us a little bit deeper with each heave.
The relief as the British finally made it to safety felt surreal. The music changed and the hope shone in stark contrast. Yet I felt shell-shocked just as one of the characters did. They were saved, but I still felt as if another round of explosions would rock them one more time.
I didn’t ENJOY my visit to Dunkirk, but I did appreciate it. It was a masterpiece of storytelling.
What do you think?