This film isn't just any ordinary film. Conceptually, this time piece creates an immersive world which from the word go creates the repugnant situation in which many of these brave men had to endure and survive. Created with stunning cinematography, the balance of all features remained optimal. Lacking a clear 'Hollywood story line' was the point of this piece. The truth in which the whole concept is based on follows all armed forces as they endeavour to escape the shores of Dunkirk whilst being holed in by their Nazi enemies. The harrowing depth of this reality and the action which displayed itself in a beautifully intense way gave more of a sense this felt like a documentary. This as a viewer felt ultimately new and modern but showing a wholehearted and detailed perception of one of the most integral battles of Word War Two.
The narrative became about the three armed forces naturally being the navy, the army and the air force. Following these parallel narratives became easy as the change became almost immaculately timed to keep the experience pushing along without drag. Without giving too much away, the three forces come together to a climactic and rather fitting and factual end to the battle of Dunkirk. This was intricately done and was balanced with perfection due to the detail and pedigree of the director, Christopher Nolan. Also directing the Batman Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception, Nolan is quickly becoming known for his use of intelligence and authenticity in displaying the undertones of his motion pictures. Intriguingly in opposition to previous films, DUNKIRK has no lead in particular, but generally a few people from each squadron the narrative follows. There are moments in which due to the brilliantly astute camera choices, you feel in the position of the soldiers reacting to whatever bombardment of bullets or bombs were to come next. This incredibly is without the camera ever becoming first person and is purely down the artistic choices regaining the accuracy and therefore hitting all the right emotional moments and reactions. Regardless of lacking dialogue, the simple, distressing and sometimes torturous orchestration filled the silence with skin-crawling potency.
Awash with classically trained actors in their prime, the whole company have evidently been shrewdly cast with build, look and voice taking priority over paydays and names for the sake of names. A huge surprise being Harry Styles cast in what is a integral role can be assumed to be something to draw in maybe another demographic? No. His understated and wonderfully sincere part like the rest of the cast were evidently acted with the most respect and admiration for the heroes that had fought before them. Originally holding a cameo, Nolan was decidedly impressed with Styles and gave him a bigger role based on merit. In a hugely talented cast of British actors containing Tom Hardy, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Sir Mark Rylance, this cultured and rugged approach to a distinctly method acted piece had paid off with the grit and determination of the more active scenes being highly obvious that the roles in particular had done them a lot of times. Detail of the physique and even haircut were appropriate and regardless of the overall beauty, gave the genuine hellish and ugliness of the personal will to survive.
For a film that had already had much hype in the opening few days before taking the plunge to see it, it has lived up to everything I had heard about it and more. The intricately pushed story paired with the brute force of the reality created an unusually wonderful concept, both encouraging the audience to leave thinking but also, actively entertained. Arguably this is a special film due to its narrative and cinematic qualities paired with a lack of knowledgeable genre. For the most interesting immersive experience through the lives of the soldiers of Dunkirk and the emotional roller-coaster on which it takes you, makes this feat of cinema important to all true-life motion pictures from now on. With the budget and graphics to re-create the world in which so much was lost, anyone witnessing this film will gain a perspective and will walk out in better knowledge than before.
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