According to reports, Warner Brothers sweated over whether or not audiences would come out for “Inception,” fearing the multi-layered brain teaser might be too smart and cerebral due to a plot that couldn’t be explained in the logline of a sentence or two. Many elite critics looked down their nose and tut-tutted with the same thoughts. Well, today we have our answer. “Inception” is a hit, on track for a $55 million weekend, and as of now enjoying a 9.3 rating out of 10 over at IMDB, already placing it in the top 100 reader favorites of all time. Score another one for the great unwashed.
Before reaching the age of 40, director Christopher Nolan’s already become one of our most impressive and important directors. He has many talents to be sure, but what’s set him apart is a stubborn refusal to talk down to the audience. Or should I say, “his” audience, because it appears as though Nolan’s built enough trust and goodwill to make his name as much of a box-office draw as any star.
“Inception” is not “Pirates of the Caribbean 3,” a bloated, confusing, narrative mess with no idea what to do with itself. We see all kinds of movies like that these days — “comedies” and family films and action flicks that clock in at 140 minutes when 90 would do just fine thank you very much. “Inception” dares to challenge us to catch on, keep up, and hold off on the bathroom break. If there’s a Nolan style, a respect for the intelligence of his audience along with a commercial sensibility is a large part of it.
I’d like to think some copycats might now come along. That’s what Hollywood does, right — forever copies the sure-fire? We’ll see. After all, challenging an audience is much harder than bombarding them with special effects and a convoluted plot.
Now that “inception” has been out there for a day and a wake up, what better time for a spoiler-filled discussion…
Debate, discuss, and write your own review below. The Big Hollywood review is here.