Escape Reality

Few movies live up to their hype. With all the accolades swirling around Christopher Nolan's latest film, Inception, I was a little worried that I would be disappointed by the end result. Of course, I shouldn't have been worried, considering the quality of Nolan's other work - films that include Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and one of my favorite flicks, Memento.

Inception is a reviewer's nightmare and a moviegoer's dream. The flick is so complex, revealing any of the plot would seem like a spoiler to the reader, but wouldn't even begin to explain what the film is about. There is serious potential for plot holes, but Nolan weaves a tight story that makes every plot shift and new surprise completely plausible within the world of the film. The cinematography is gorgeous, the special effects are amazing, and the acting is superb. I love Leonardo DiCaprio's latest work and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (of "3rd Rock From the Sun" fame) is an excellent supporting actor.

Nolan has gathered a superb ensemble cast, including Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Ellen Page (Juno), Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later), and Michael Caine (The Cider House Rules). One of my favorite actors, Pete Postlethwaite (Baz Lurhmann's Romeo + Juliet), has a small role, as does Lukas Haas (Mars Attacks). Tom Hardy, relatively unknown in the US, is extremely charming in his role as a "forger" - hopefully he will see more mainstream roles after the success of this film.

The best performance of the film by far is that of Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose). She is an amazing actress and steals every scene she is in, both with her impeccable beauty and her depth and breadth of emotion. (Is it too early for Oscar predictions?)



The ending is powerful, but what I loved most was how it can be interpreted in multiple ways. I highly reccommend seeing this film, even if you are not usually a sci-fi fan. The film spans across several genres - thriller, film noir, love story, and futuristic sci-fi - this flick has it all. It is truly meant to be seen on a big screen, so don't hesitate to see it in theaters. (It won't be the same on a TV screen in your living room, trust me.)