Dunkirk: A Harrowing but Uplifting Story

After being blown away by the teaser and first trailer I took the Gene Siskel route and avoided everything about this movie; I didn’t look up the plot, cast, or see any further trailers and TV spots. I went into this movie blind, knowing that it was a World War II movie directed by Christopher Nolan, one of the best directors alive today. His movies, even if those that miss their mark, deliver something unique that separate’s him from your average filmmaker. Did he succeed with this movie?

Heck yes he did! Dunkirk is by far one the best movies of the year and the best from Nolan right up there with Inception.

The year is 1940, World War II is raging on and the Axis Powers have conquered France leaving all that remains of the British and French armies trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk. Evacuation seems all but hopeless; the enemy has them surrounded and any military assistance would draw more fire to the already defenseless troops. Even if they could the Allied forces can’t risk sending more ships, with France now under enemy control, all means of weapons are being saved in case of an invasion on Great Britain. This makes what happens next all the more unbelievable. A plan of evacuation is commissioned not with Navy ships, but civilian boats. Ordinary sailors commanding small vessels from tugboats, yachts and fishing boats into enemy territory and rescue their fellow soldiers. We see this unfold in three different narratives, from the soldiers trying to survive on the beach, the sailors making the perilous journey, and the air pilots who protected them from enemy fire. 

Shot on location where it all took place, the film is epic and a sight to behold. It’s a war movie of different kind where survival is key if the war is to be won. It has what I wanted to see in Nolan’s other work The Dark Knight Rises of seeing ordinary citizens rising to the cause even in the face of danger. Another rarity in Dunkirk is that it’s not rated R but PG-13 and still manages to show the sheer scope, intensity and horror of war. If you couldn’t stomach war films like Hacksaw Ridge and Saving Private Ryan due to its graphic content, this film never delves into that level. More than once did I jump out of my seat and feel the cold weather (though I’m sure that was the air conditioner but I still got the chills). In typical Nolan fashion he tells the story in a way one doesn’t expect and surprises you. It’s presented with a nonlinear story structure, little to no dialogue and like in Inception you have to keep your eyes peeled otherwise you’ll miss what’s happening in the next scene.

 

The cast is spectacular with celebrity performances from Academy Award winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) as Mr. Dawson a yacht sailor, Kenneth Branagh (Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets) as British Commander Bolton, along with Nolan regulars Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins) as a shell shocked soldier and Tom Hardy(Mad Max: Fury Road) as air pilot Farrier. Newcomers Fionn Whitehead, Aneurin Barnard, and Harry Styles (Yes, that Harry Styles, the guy from that boy band One Direction, I know I’m surprised myself.) make an outstanding acting debut as Tommy, Gibson and Alex, three young soldiers among the 400,000 men trapped on Dunkirk beach. 

High praise to everyone who made this astonishing accomplishment from composer Hans Zimmer, cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema and writer/director Christopher Nolan. Dunkirk is truly an extraordinary story and I highly recommend viewing on the big screen if you can. It's movies like this that reminds us that among the horrendous atrocities like war, it can bring the worst of humanity but at the same time bring out the best and strive forward.