Excellent film but probably not for everyone

Rating: 9/10 (10 November 2019)

What is important to know before watching this movie, and might explain some of the extremely low scores, is that this is not a standard movie. Don't expect character build-up and a plot with twists and turns. This is done on purpose. It is very obvious that Nolan did not want to make a new "Saving Private Ryan". Comments referring to the lack of these elements or a lack of emotional involvement with characters, seem to have had the wrong expectations.
Dunkirk is a powerful, excellent depiction of how chaotic and demoralising war can be and yet at the same time it manages to offer that glimmer of hope. It shows how different people and personalities are impacted by a hopeless situation. Nolan on purpose does not use names for characters, reflecting the large number of anonymous soldiers that have died. The different viewpoints and time-jumps are meant to make you feel a bit of the chaos. Above all he clearly wanted to give the viewer a feel on the action and despair and not tell an emotionally developed story on a heroic rescue action. On top of this all, the cinematography is just amazing. I do not know any movie that has been able to capture pilot fights with this amount of action and suspense. It actually felt like time flew by with all the action and pacing.
If you view this movie in the right context and keep in mind what Nolan is trying to do, then this is simply an amazing piece of film.