Go Further

Rating: 10/10 (9 November 2014)

Sometimes a film can be grand and epic in scale compared to others in one or a few categories. Interstellar manages to just about be the boldest in every single category of the filmmaking process. Christopher Nolan makes his most ambitious film yet and one of the most ambitious films I've ever seen. You can tell he was influenced by many of the great Sci-Fi classics including 2001: A Space Odyssey. But I think you can also seem glimpses of Sunshine, The Right Stuff, Apollo 13 and even Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
It was my number 1 most anticipated film this year and it lived up to the hype. Of course it wasn't at all what I really expected considering Nolan hid so much from us, which is amazing for the year we live in. You know when you sit down at a Nolan film you will be both entertained and educated.
The film itself is very complex and has a lot going on. I waited until I had seen the movie 3 times before even writing this review. After my first watch I didn't really know what to do with myself. I walked out of the Navy Pier IMAX 70mm film theater and was just in awe of what I just saw. I appreciate how much thought Nolan puts into his projects and the fact that he expects us to actually pay attention and it's not just some mindless blockbuster. I have now seen this film 3 times in 24 hours and I'm still not completely sure I understand everything Nolan was going for. To me the film is about hope. It's an optimistic view on the world and how we need to go back to our roots and go further than what we think we have settled for. I like his use of baseball in the film as a parallel for our pastime. Baseball is America's pastime and our roots. Perhaps it was on purpose perhaps not.
The performances are phenomenal. Led by Matthew McConaughey, who gives a gut wrenching performance. I won't go through how great everyone was, but Jessica Chastain also stood out. I think she has a shot at a best supporting actress nod, whereas McConaughey is in a much more packed group. The father daughter relationship was beautiful and definitely fulfilling. It takes a bit of time to finally go on the mission but once they do, it never slows down. The cinematography was gorgeous, especially while going through the wormholes. Seeing it IMAX was stunning and proved Nolan doesn't necessarily need Wally Pfister to give us great looking films. Compliment that with Hans Zimmer's beautiful score and you already have yourself a thrilling experience. I love that Zimmer didn't push "Braaaam" type score like he has been accused of overusing at times. The main theme is just beautiful and perfectly accommodates the film.
There a few subtle moments that really got to me. One being when they realize they have been on the planet for 23 years and come back to find Romilly old and gray. The other being the chilling video message scenes. I can't praise McConaughey enough for how well those scenes were acted. I had a lot of trouble holding back the tears. It was just heartbreaking knowing how long his kids were waiting for him. Sure the decision to leave them is selfish but what would you do? If you're truly believing you're saving human kind wouldn't you at least exercise that option? The different worlds they visited were stunning and gave us some of the most intense scenes in the film. Matt Damon's "cameo" was interesting and definitely longer than I thought. I knew he was in the film, but had no idea to what extent or who he was playing.
The moment we realize Coop is trapped in the fifth dimension and he was the "ghost behind the bookshelves" was heartbreaking. It was one of the many brilliantly acted scenes by McConaughey, and one that many people were quietly saying "oh my god" to in the theater every time I went. To fully understand all the science and complications they have to go through on this journey was difficult. But I don't think that's the point. The point is optimism. That if we reach higher, break barriers, and go further perhaps we can save our world if we ever get to that point. I will say I wish they would have given us a broader view of our dying world so we feel like this mission really is our last chance. I also think the way they handled Coop leaving Murph in the final scene was underwhelming for how much it was built up, but these are minor complaints. I still can't wait to see what Nolan does next.
It's one of the most amazing experiences I have had with a film, even though I don't even think it's one of Nolan's best. It was Nolan's grandest and by far most emotion and personal film. It had many of his signature moments but also had much more hope than all of his other films have. This film isn't perfect by any means but it has everybody talking. Isn't that what film is all about? I don't think giving it a 10 means it has no problems whatsoever, but I think it means it's a film that will stand the test of time and quite possibly is actually important to people and this world. Hopefully this film will inspire other filmmakers to go the extra mile.
+McConaughey's heartbreaking performance
+Chastain & Foy's Murph
+Video message scenes
+True cinematic IMAX experience
+Most ambitious film I've ever seen
+Depiction of other worlds/wormholes
+Hans Zimmer's beautiful score
+Influenced by many Sci-Fi classics
+Entire cast & cameo performances
+Optimistic
-Final goodbye
10/10