Dunkirk | Film | A Frank Review

Story
Not much can really be said for the story, for it is restricted in some means, that it does have to follow the course of time, which has been proven and recorded, but in that respect, yes it did very well to represent and show the emotions of people there, and most of all, the atmosphere, which was excellent. The sequences were mainly all set on the beach of Dunkirk and they were all brilliant. It was desolate and felt empty, completely drained of any energy, despite the fact there were thousands of cast members on set at a time. Just the mood and way everything was portrayed simply by the way it was shot and the almost zombie like way the pedestrian actors moved around.
Honesty is also a very key part to this story, at one point I did fear that the film was going to end with the whole “and they all lives happily ever after, or at least that’s the ones that didn’t die you know but let’s forget about them it’s a film haha”, but it continues and delivers, not anything joyful, but it delivers. The way in which there is the total contrast between joy in the end but then the very sudden and harsh reality and sorrow that is shown in the very last moments. I’d love to be more specific but I hate spoilers myself so I’m not going to contribute to the tragedy that is a ruined film.
The most rewarding thing about this film was how it felt complete in the end, and I hate films that leave you wanting more (not in a cliffhanger way but by tying everything off and leaving a beautifully finished product). There were several sub plots along, which did follow a non linear story line which at the start is slightly confusing, but once everything comes together in the climax which doesn’t seem to want to end but when it does, does at the perfect time.
Cast and Characters
Because it’s not really a character based film it’s hard for this section. The cast were brilliant, one of the hardest things to convey in a film is fear, it is so very easy to look cheesy, but genuine fear is shown from all main members of cast and the reactions to bombs and shots are all brilliant, making not only themselves fear for their lives, but the audience watching too.
One thing I love about this film is the pure lack of dialogue, there isn’t any waffle and no filler stuff because it isn’t needed. All that is used is facial expressions and silence, and that’s all that is needed.
Music
Tension, pain, sorrow, joy, all beautifully represented and supported by the amazing musical accompaniments written by the one and only Hans Zimmer.
I’ll also include sound in this mainly because there was a lot of good sounds. Planes, shots, bombs, all brilliant, not overused and genuinely did strike the audience with the same fear as cast. During certain sequences, not to sound too cheesy, but you could be so immersed you may have felt like ducking down to avoid being taken out yourself.
Effects
Realism is probably the word I would use to describe how the effects were used. Not flashy or showing off how many things they could blow up, just used to show what happened. It was real and felt it. Nothing more needs to be said other than, good use of ya ‘splotions Mr Nolan.
Overall Impressions
A real, honest, emotional and immersive film, which shows emotions and feelings that no history book is going to show you. Also Harry Styles is in it, probably should’ve mentioned that.
