What We're Watching: Dunkirk
Title: Dunkirk
Director: Christopher Nolan
Genre: Historical Drama; Action; War Movie
Why did you choose to watch this movie?
A few years ago I started keeping a list of movies and TV shows that, for one reason or another, sounded interesting. I don't remember specifically why Dunkirk was on the list. I enjoyed Christopher Nolan's Memento, which succeeds in telling a compelling story in reverse chronological order, reflecting the main character's anterograde amnesia, rendering him unable to form short-term memories.
Dunkirk is different though. It is a historical retelling of the World War II retreat of British soldiers from the French seaside town where they have been trapped by German forces and must find a way to escape to Britain, which is a short distance away, across the English Channel. Unable to bring transport ships into the shallow waters, and reserving most of its air power for the impending defense of Britain itself, the British military relies in part on civilian boaters from Britain to bring their boats across the channel to rescue the stranded soldiers.
What did you like about it?
The movie illustrates the logistical challenges of a particular event and provides context for why the challenges exist. When I think of a war movie, I imagine the protagonists overcoming challenges on the road to victory; or, I think of a tale of one soldier's suffering as a result of combat, both during and after fighting. Instead, Dunkirk tells the story of a retreat, the result of military defeat, rather than of victory. Knowing the soldiers are trapped and doomed to an awful fate if they cannot escape creates dramatic tension.
It also tells stories about specific soldiers, commanders, airmen, and civilians involved in the retreat. Getting to know individual characters personalizes the conflict.
The battle scenes are also compelling and well-shot. As soldiers--in typical British fashion--politely queue at the shoreline awaiting rescue, they are sitting ducks for German pilots, who occasionally pass overhead, bombing the soldiers who have nowhere to seek cover, driving home the urgency of the rescue. The dogfights--air-to-air combat--are a staple of World War II films. In summary, the film effectively conveys the strategy, logistics, and personal stories in one battle, making an excellent film.
Did it remind you of any other movies?
Saving Private Ryan comes to mind, for its broad scope and personal drama, as well as the facts that it's set on a French beach in World War II and deals with a rescue mission.
Was there anything noteworthy about the movie?
Dunkirk is the highest-grossing World War II film yet. It was nominated for or won many awards.
To whom would you recommend this movie?
I would recommend this movie to fans of epic war movies, especially movies set in World War II, and fans of Christopher Nolan.
With what would you pair this movie?
Pairing this movie with a beach vacation would give you a different perspective on the landscape, but I don't know if that's a recommendation!