Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Few directors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Christopher Nolan. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Nolan has become one of the greatest filmmakers in the industry. Whether it’s the stories about caped crusaders, dreamers or men with memory loss, Nolan has created many powerful characters. Arguably, Nolan’s strength as a filmmaker has always been his ability to balance storytelling with spectacle. His iconic movies are often driven by a perfect blend of storytelling, action and emotion. He is one of those filmmakers which has never been afraid of taking risks by tackling complex subject matters. Through his abilities to balance storytelling and spectacle, Nolan has created films that audiences have found awe-inspiring. Like a dream come true, Nolan has created unforgettable movies that audiences value. Throughout his long-lasting career, Nolan has made several unforgettable movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Nolan and adore all the films he has made throughout his career. However, “Interstellar” stands out as his most emotional achievement. Released in 2014, Nolan’s movie has stood the test of time as a science fiction classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best science fiction movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Matthew McConaughey, who portrays a lonely astronaut that abandons his children. Ultimately, what makes “Interstellar” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about fatherhood which will resonate with everyone. Unlike most films that Christopher Nolan has made in his career, it’s one of those rare movies everyone will able to relate to. A powerful sci-fi masterpiece about space travel, there are several strong reasons why “Interstellar” is a movie which is definitely worth watching.
Set in a dystopian future, “Interstellar” tells the story of a father that embarks on a journey of space travel. Matthew McConaughey portrays Cooper, a former NASA pilot that lives a life of peace with his family on a farm. Cooper shares a strong bond with his daughter Murph, who is a young girl with a bright mind. However, their relationship is brought to a tragic closure when Cooper is sent upon a catastrophic mission of interstellar space travel. Tasked with going on a mission to a wormhole, Cooper’s life begins to spiral out of control. Assisted by Dr. Brandt (Anne Hathaway), Cooper embarks on journey in space with a price to pay. Leaving his family on the planet alone, Cooper embarks on a grim journey in space to the unknown. As the years go by, he begins to question whether his space mission is worth the final outcome. Seeking to explore reaches of space, Cooper questions if he will ever reunite with a daughter that he has grown to embrace.
Christopher Nolan is a newcomer towards the subject of space travel. Before he had made “Interstellar”, Nolan has never made a movie about space travel before. It was the director’s first attempt capturing Interstellar travel, but he succeeded immensely. Through stunning cinematography, Nolan captures a group of scientists embarking upon a journey of space travel. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes that’s as breathtaking as farms where fathers materialize. Nolan has always excelled at making movies which are visually stunning, and “Interstellar” is no exception. Nolan effectively uses montages to capture the bond between a father and his daughter. Throughout the movie, Cooper spends time with his daughter bonding together on their farm. For instance, montages enhance the farm truck scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cooper spends time with his kids as they investigate an airplane in the sky. One admires montages capturing the bonds of fathers and children. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As “Inception” suggested, montages elevate science fiction films about dreams. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through stunning visuals, Nolan conveys astronauts embarking on missions that are terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “Interstellar” that is worth discussing is the production design. From a technical perspective, it’s arguably the best movie that Christopher Nolan has ever made. Nolan has always excelled at utilizing practical effects in his films, and “Interstellar” is no exception. Nolan deftly uses practical effects to create engaging space sequences. For instance, practical effects enhance the space mission scene. During this memorable scene, Cooper and his team embark upon a dangerous mission in outer reaches of space. One admires practical effects bringing space travel to life in fantastical styles reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Practical effects are tricky techniques to use in movies. As “The Dark Knight” trilogy suggested, practical effects elevate comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Hans Zimmer’s music is integral toward the success of the movie. It gives the movie an emotional atmosphere capturing the painful burden astronauts separated from children often bear. Through phenomenal production-design, Nolan captures space missions that shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Interstellar” is a captivating science fiction classic that’s compelling. The movie is really well-written, and effectively uses silence to capturing the strong bond between fathers and daughters. Nolan’s screenwriting strength is capturing the tensions between fathers and estranged daughters by sequences of silence. Throughout the film, Nolan effectively uses silence to capture the relationship that Cooper shares with his daughter Murph. For instance, silence elevates the footage scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Cooper is finally given a chance to meet with his daughter Murph after several years of separation. It’s one of the most emotional scenes Nolan has ever created in his movies that is enough to bring anyone to tears. One appreciates sequences of silence capturing the hardships that astronauts go through. Through scenes of silence, Nolan captures the hardships which astronauts embarking on space missions go through. Silence is a complicated technique to use in movies. Most Nolan movies are commonly driven by sounds. As Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” demonstrated, sequences of silence elevate old-fashioned science fiction films. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Nolan captures commemorated space missions with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Matthew McConaughey delivers one of his greatest career performances as Cooper. McConaughey achieved appreciations for playing victims of the AIDS crisis in dramas. With “Interstellar”, however, he took upon his first sci-fi role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of an astronaut leaving family to embark on an interstellar space journey, but McConaughey succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, courage and resentments of an astronaut on journeys to discover his identity. It’s a superb performance from one of the greatest actors working in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Jessica Chastain is captivating, capturing the pain of a daughter separated from her father that embarks on a mission across space with knowledge to gain. Anne Hathaway is astonishing, capturing the personality of a scientist that believes in love which comes with a painful price to pay. Lastly, Michael Caine deserves appreciation. As an educated scientist, he brings gravitas toward the movie.
Finally, “Interstellar” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the emotions faced by fathers embarking on interstellar missions. The movie discusses universal themes of families, identity and science which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with science to appreciate it. Unlike most Nolan movies which are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Therefore, “Interstellar” is one of those rare science-fiction movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Christopher Nolan will definitely appreciate “Interstellar” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular masterpiece about space, it celebrates a legendary filmmaker whose memorable movies audiences embrace.
Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking science-fiction film about astronauts leaving family behind embarking on interstellar space missions which are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a director that has gained a huge fan following through his abilities to tell compelling stories whose memorable movies that haven’t lost their abilities to entertain audiences are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 