Dunkirk (2017) Dir: Christopher Nolan
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Prior to watching this, I wasn't sure this was going to feel like a Christopher Nolan film - it just didn't feel like the kind of story he'd tell, nor one he'd tell in his normal manner of filmmaking.
However, I very quickly came to see the Nolanesque techniques in play throughout the film. For one, the most noticeable of all is his manipulation of chronology and time, which is certainly an aspect he utilises here.
The emphasis on sound is also a key feature of the film, which again will be familiar to fans of Nolan, especially in conjunction with the always strong music composition of Hanz Zimmer - although I'd say this is one of his more forgettable films, as far as the soundtrack is concerned.
The cinematography is beautiful, thanks to the colour grading and framing of certain scenes, which results in some truly gorgeous shots.
Fionn Whitehead is a quiet protagonist of sorts, but he does the bulk of his acting with his body language - something he does very well throughout his time in the film. I thoroughly enjoyed his portrayal of a young soldier who is trying desperately to get home.
Mark Rylance felt like a really decent casting choice for an older gentleman whose seen it all and provides the role of the experienced head in the film.
Kenneth Branagh makes for a worthy authoritarian supporting figure, and manages to show a lot of emotion during his supporting role.
Barry Keoghan may not have the most substantial role in this, but he shows once more that he is one of the best young actors in the business today.
Tom Hardy spends most of his time behind a mask, but still manages to illicit plenty of emotion throughout his somewhat isolated performance.
Harry Styles stands out in the film, for the obvious reason of his mainstream fame, but he gives a pretty decent performance regardless. That said, it is a little distracting seeing him here because of his name value.
Finally, I'll give mentions to some other noteworthy cast members; Cillian Murphy, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Aneurin Barnard, Michael Caine, James D'Arcy and Brian Vernel.
Overall, this was a stunning film which perhaps lacked some of the depth I was hoping for. Visually it is a masterpiece, but the story is unexceptional - though not bad, which places this as a good film, rather than a great one.
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