Christopher Nolan stands out among his fellow directors owing to his meticulousness and propensity for risk-taking. He is not hesitant to try new things, whether it is in terms of storytelling style, filmmaking approach, or the exploration of deep psychological or metaphysical themes. His commitment to new ideas and technical prowess have rendered him one of the most lauded filmmakers of our time.
So, whether you’re a true cinephile or just an admirer of Christopher Nolan’s work, you should watch these movies. Be ready to immerse yourself in Nolan’s universe and enjoy his unique masterpieces.
Inception (2010)
Hailed for its original concept, this Christopher Nolan masterpiece starring Leonardo DiCaprio revolves around a team of professional thieves that breaks into people’s minds in order to steal sensitive data. The protagonist of the movie is Dom Cobb, who’s recruited to complete the arduous job of “inception,” or seeding a notion in somebody’s consciousness via their dreams. The group encounters strange obstacles, such as the materialization of their own deepest psychological anxieties and urges, as the squad makes its way across the numerous levels of dreamscapes.
The filmmaker devoted more than a decade honing the story and script. Nolan and his crew employed a mix of physical and CGI techniques to bring the movie’s imaginings to reality. Huge structures, like a spinning corridor, were constructed so that artists could execute antics and give the impression that they are in a frictionless setting. This movie is now considered a classic thanks to its innovative storytelling, groundbreaking special effects, and stellar ensemble.
Interstellar (2014)
Starring Matthew McConaughey in the lead role, this 2014 masterpiece puts the audience in the shoes of Cooper, a veteran NASA aviator, who’s once again called back to action to look for a new habitable planet since Earth is on the brink of annihilation. Cooper, accompanied by a scientific crew, enters a vortex and goes to another constellation, where they must endure dangerous space-time anomalies in order to locate a potentially livable world.
Christopher Nolan collaborated extensively with astrophysicist Kip Thorne on the making of this masterpiece to guarantee that the movie’s themes and theories are grounded in reality. The group employed cutting-edge equipment to render convincing images of black holes, special relativity, as well as other processes. Furthermore, Nolan redefined the boundaries of pragmatic cinematography by building enormous stages and employing real-world computer simulations and models. The soundtrack, produced by legendary musician Hans Zimmer, is evocative and stirring, elevating the experience to a whole new level.
Dunkirk (2017)
Released in 2017, starring Harry Styles, Fionn Whitehead, and Cillian Murphy, “Dunkirk” is inspired by actual events of Dunkirk extraction that took place during the events of World War II. In the movie, British and Allied soldiers are trapped in Dunkirk, France, with the Nazi army closing in on them from all sides. When the crisis escalates, the military calls on civilian vessels to help evacuate the soldiers, setting in motion a daring relief effort that is still hailed to this day.
The movie’s director, Christopher Nolan, and his crew spared no effort in their pursuit of factual accuracy. The movie was filmed entirely in Dunkirk, at the actual sites where the rescue unfolded. The director went to great lengths to establish a feeling of historical accuracy by using actual warships and aircraft, in addition to hundreds of extras and accurate clothing. Hans Zimmer crafted music that is both eerie and powerful, using noises like running bells and other unusual instruments to heighten the drama and sense of haste in the movie.
Memento (2001)
“Memento,” starring Guy Pearce, was one of the first movies helmed by Christopher Nolan, and it is credited for putting his name on the map. This cinematic gem chronicles the story of Leonard Shelby, a man suffering from retrograde amnesia, who seeks his wife’s killer, so he may have his much-awaited revenge. Leonard’s illness prevents him from making new thoughts, so he uses a method of memos and tattooing to remember who he is looking for. The movie’s storytelling style stands out since it follows a backward timeline. The viewer’s feeling of suspense and interest grows with every sequence as more details about Leonard’s history and the circumstances that contributed to his wife’s murder are revealed.
Christopher and Jonathan Nolan, the film’s directors, spared no effort in attempting to make “Memento” a cult classic. Several sequences were captured in Los Angeles despite the movie’s shoestring budget. The unsettling and perplexing aspect of Leonard’s illness also inspired the directors to adopt non-linear narrative tactics as well as a distinctive color palette.
The Prestige (2006)
“The Prestige” is a 2006 movie starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlet Johansson, Michael Caine, and more. The movie depicts the fierce and heated rivalry between performers Alfred Borden and Robert Angier as they strive to achieve the perfect deception. The movie’s storytelling style is complicated and multi-layered, with numerous timeframes and perspectives interwoven to evoke surprise and drama. The movie delves into concepts like desire, self-sacrifice, and the difference between what’s real and what’s an illusion.
The cast and crew of the movie went the extra mile to accurately portray the realm of nineteenth-century magic and trickery. London, as well as Los Angeles, served as filming locations, and period-accurate structures and clothing were used to sell the film as being based in the past. The producers collaborated with real-life performers to pull out the various tricks and feats in the movie, heightening the feeling of risk and reality. Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack for the movie is eerily evocative, with a blend of digital and symphonic instruments that conjure a feeling of mystique and tension. The film’s soundscape was extremely important, especially in creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and vertigo by employing repeated and warped dialogues.