Good, Not Great

Rating: 8/10 (24 July 2017)

Writer and Director Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" literally soars in the air; otherwise, pretty ordinary on both land and sea. Too bad. "Dunkirk" is very good, not great. And I am a big fan of Nolan. "Dunkirk" follows three interwoven stories about the evacuation of over 300,000 British and French troops from Dunkirk during World War II, prior to U.S. involvement. Civilian boats contributed in large part to this massive exodus back to England. "Dunkirk" is the distinct visual masterpiece. The 70 mm format is amazing. Nolan's dialogue is minimalist and Hans Zimmer's provocative score essentially narrates this relentless tale of survival, bravery, and perseverance.
Something seems amiss with "Dunkirk". "Dunkirk" aspires as the great hero story. However, as much as the heroes compel, their stories become indistinguishable at times. Then again that may be Nolan's point that in war the hero survives. I don't know a lot of the actors in "Dunkirk" aside from Tom Hardy. Fionn Whitehead as infantry soldier Tommy is strong. Mark Rylance as boat captain Mr. Dawson has marvelous gravitas. Tom Hardy as courageous fighter pilot Farrier is commanding. His performance and charisma are stymied by his confined presence in the cockpit of his Spitfire for the duration of the movie. Kenneth Branagh fares best as Commander Bolton, who distills the conscience and gravity for the responsibility of saving the lives of thousands of soldiers.
All are very good, on the verge of great. Perhaps, part of the muted expectation is that this is history, and we kind of know how it ends. Though the message that ordinary people transform as extraordinary is not lost in Nolan's harrowing depiction.
Soldiers line up on the white sand beach of Dunkirk under the gray sky, as they wait for ships to take them home. All the while, they must contend with Nazi bombers and fighters determined on their demise. Cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema and Nolan brilliantly paint their existential treatise of war on the screen.
"Dunkirk" truly soars as Farrier and his pilots battle Nazi bombers and fighter craft in the skies. The drama and imagery are breathtaking. We experience both the expression of freedom and danger in every engagement. Hardy is powerful. The movie could have used more of him. And more of this imagery.
Whitehead as Tommy captures the youthful innocence and idealism of the soldier. Tommy desperately wants to go home. Along with his fellow soldiers, he endures sinking ships and terrifying bombing attacks. Like the other soldiers, Tommy is a young man, virtually a boy with his entire life ahead. Many soldiers die in the aftermath. They will never fall in love, get married, or have a family. Nolan in the end reminds with uncompromising clarity that the cost of war is too high. War maybe hell. War is definitely sad.