In times of crisis and catastrophe, man has always faced a critical decision. Will we retain our humanity in the darkest of hours, or or will we become the monsters of our nightmares? What truly is the measure of humanity, and to what extends do our morals and values reach? Christopher Nolan tackles these questions and more in Dunkirk, a suspenseful retelling of the infamous rescue that changed the outcome of World War 2.
Dunkirk is a film that not only uses the visual to capture the audience, but sound that immerses and enraptures. From the intense, pulse-pounding score, to the stunning visual effects, this film is a triumph of film making. I have seen many war films over the years, and many of them focus on World War 2. Understandably one of the most dynamic and dangerous times in our history, I can understand why it captures the attention of audiences and filmmakers alike.
For how could it not? Instead of being presented as just another war story, this story is hinged on the suspense and fear of survival. With a war-torn countryside and miles of sun-baked beach as its backdrop, Dunkirk offers us a glimpse into the lives and mentality of those awaiting certain death, and unable to do anything to save themselves. One need not even try to place themselves in the soldier's positions, the movie is quite comfortable with throwing the viewer directly into the huddled masses.
Told from three perspectives: land, water, and air, it focuses on people from all walks of life. Ironically, you never really know much about them. We aren't told much other then their names, and I believe that there was wisdom in this decision. From the boy-soldier who struggles to find any methods of escape on the heavily bombed beach, to the pilot soaring in enemy-infested skies, and finally to the father, his son, and the son's friend aboard their civilian vessel commissioned to rescue the soldiers; every person is presented as just that, a human being with significant value. Sadly, there are a tremendous amount of deaths, as war is not respecter of men; but the deaths are not glorified. The horror and tragedy of the unforeseeable events are handled with the greatest respect, and also, a sense of awareness.
If there is no ultimate purpose or goal, how can the loss of human life ever be accepted? What measures the cost of the soul? How can the horror of war ever be seen as just in a world where blood is spilled as freely as water? While many argue and debate for that answer; Nolan simply shows us. If one cannot look at the bigger picture and realize that the destruction of a world that refuses to fight to protect its own would be far greater bloodshed then the lives lost in war, they just don't want to accept it. Even the Bible shows that there have been times that wars have had to be fought. God blessed Israel in battle many times, because it was in His will.
Now, don't misunderstand me. It isn't in His will that any should perish, nor is God filled with blood-lust toward the innocent. But make no mistake, God won't allow the wicked to go unpunished. Nor will He abandon us in our time of need. Dunkirk is a powerful example of God's grace in a time of unprecedented hopelessness. It shows both sides of humanity, at our best, and our worst. It makes no boast of unrealistic heroics, nor does it mince words showing the darkness that can cloud our minds when pure fear takes hold. The characters make choices both good and bad, and in the end, the audience must come to terms with their actions just as much as those who enacted them.
Truly a phenomenal film and a piece of art in its own way, Dunkirk is a tale that I highly recommend. Despite the setting and odds, it is surprisingly clean. There are very few scenes of blood and gore, and the language is kept to a clean minimum. It was refreshing to watch a movie that didn't care about the trappings of modern Hollywood, and instead focused on what really mattered; a dramatic tale of rescue amidst incredible odds, that was only made possible by God's providential hand.
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