Inception: A Striking Display of Artistry
11 years after its release, Christopher Nolan’s ‘Inception’ is often introduced as the British-American director’s magnum opus thanks to its remarkable cinematography, meticulous editing, and brilliant storyline. Unlike other exceptional films, there is little simplicity in the plot of the movie. The film itself revolves around complex topics such as time, consciousness and one’s perception of reality. Nolan uses these intricate concepts as tools to build into the overarching theme of unresolved attachments.
‘Inception’ follows Dominick Cobb, an infamous “extractor” who uses dream-sharing to acquire information from people’s minds, as he uses his skills to reverse his wrongful implication in the death of his wife Mal. Thanks to a proposal from billionaire businessman Saito; the extractor simply has to plant an idea rather than divulge one, and his record would be cleared. In spite of this worthwhile incentive, Dom is hesitant to partake in the operation as he still feels tremendous guilt for planting the idea of suicide in Mal’s subconscious, guilt that often pushes him into a deep state of self-loathing.
In order to cope with his despair, Cobb constantly visits an inauthentic manifestation of Mal in his dreams. Cobb’s unhealthy coping mechanisms cause him to become deluded with the idea of a life with Mal, while the haunting memories of his late wife’s death completely stain his subconscious perception of her.
Nolan deciding to reveal Cobb’s internal struggles once the viewers already have a clear presentation of his character is a precise choice that allows Cobb’s mental condition to not entirely define him, but rather become an aspect of himself that adds to his multifaceted personality. The final result is a refreshing action film that presents subtle yet powerful statements about mental health that many films fail to convey. Our protagonist’s seemingly standard demeanor mixed with his twisted fantasies expresses how one’s mental health is never black or white, and an individual doesn’t have to be entirely characterized by their internal hardships in order for them to have significance. As a movie, Inception is intense, captivating and visually spectacular; Yet the explicit effort put into these feats never impeded the film’s ability to dive into complex concepts in an effective and meaningful way, making Nolan’s film an insightful and enjoyable cinematic experience.