Oct 14

Oct 14 Inception (2010)

Written and directed by inventive and acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, this film has received high marks from critics and audiences alike, which seems mystifying. Though sporting a clever premise, a fine cast, and handsome production design, the film nevertheless fails to connect on an emotional level. But for a couple of too-brief moments, the characters are not sympathetic, leaving plot developments, action sequences, and creative visuals to carry the day—which they do, but only so far. As the story unfolds, it grows more contrived, and the denouement of the film—indeed, the bulk of the plot—comes telegraphed in the setup, resulting in scant satisfaction with the obvious conclusion.

½ (out of ***)

2010 • 2 HOURS, 28 MINUTES
WARNER BROS. • LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT • SYNCOPY

STARRING
• LEONARDO DICAPRIO

ALSO STARRING
• JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT, ELLEN PAGE, TOM HARDY, KEN WATANABE, DILEEP RAO, CILLIAN MURPHY, TOM BERENGER, MARION COTILLARD, PETE POSTLETHWAITE, MICHAEL CAINE, LUKAS HAAS

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
• CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

2010 ACADEMY AWARDS (4)
• BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
• BEST SOUND EDITING
• BEST SOUND MIXING
• BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

ADDITIONAL 2010 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (4)
• BEST PICTURE (LOST TO THE KING’S SPEECH)
• BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (LOST TO THE KING’S SPEECH)
• BEST ART DIRECTION (LOST TO ALICE IN WONDERLAND)
• BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (LOST TO THE SOCIAL NETWORK)