A Visual Marvel, Minus Soul!

Rating: 6/10 (22 July 2017)

Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Christopher Nolan. 'Dunkirk' is a magnificent technical achievement, that is a feast for the eyes. Nolan, a master in his craft, sadly fails as a Writer, delivering a War Epic that's ambitious & huge in scale, but also soulless. Its definitely a well-made film, but not in the level of how a Nolan motion-picture generally is.
'Dunkirk' Synopsis: Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France are surrounded by the German army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.
'Dunkirk' puts 3 different time-lines together & jumbles them into a king-sized narrative. The film begins with a flourishing impact, showing us how the soldiers are in constant havoc. What follows is how survival is at stake & how the carnage of war can damage those who go at the battlefield to protect their nation. Nolan handsomely mounts a visually staggering war epic, that doesn't have a single frame that lacks ambition or genuine skill. The war depicted here in 'Dunkirk' is intense & hardcore, that's sure to leave you disturbed.
BUT, 'Dunkirk' lacks a cohesive Screenplay. Nolan's Screenplay is packed with intensity, but is too busy to make us feel for its heroic characters. Seen from three perspectives, 'Dunkirk' has too many characters, but not for one, do you feel for. And that's indeed disappointing, considering this is a film about War Heroes. Nolan crowds the film with three perspectives, but forgets too give its characters depth. And that's certainly unacceptable from a guy like Nolan. Nolan made Superhero films that were more about the heroes without the capes, and delivered an affecting family-drama while indulging in the Sci-Fi zone last time, but in 'Dunkirk' there is not a single character that you'll remember or even, feel for, despite their heroic courage. Nolan's Writing is a letdown & comes up as a minus.
Nolan's Direction is marvelous. He's a master at his craft & the atmosphere he sets in here, is simply terrific. How I wish his Writing was as strong as his Direction. Hans Zimmer's Score is magnificent & turns 'Dunkirk' into a heart-pounding experience. Hoyte van Hoytema's Cinematography is astounding. The lens-man has filmed each & every frame, with flawlessness. Lee Smith's Editing is razor-crisp. Art & Costume Design are fantastic. The Choerography of the War-Sequences, are tremendous. As mentioned earlier, 'Dunkirk' is a remarkable technical achievement.
Talking of performances, its only Tom Hardy as Farrier, a Royal Air Force pilot & the Legendary Kenneth Branagh as Commander Bolton, the pier-master during the evacuation, who stand out.
On the whole, 'Dunkirk' is certainly a well-made film with plus points, but the lack of depth in its characters, are hard to ignore. Its a crushing disappointment.