Run time: 169mins Certificate: 12A
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain.
Release Date: November 7, 2014.
Cosmic praise.
Interstellar is one of the most ambitious science fiction films made in recent years, an emotional tale told in an intelligently crafted universe, its almost everything a science fiction tale could hope to be. Christopher and Jonathan Nolan have taken care to make sure the science that drives the mission always makes sense within the context of the film (you won’t be scratching your head every other second) and take great pleasure in emphasising both the beauty and harsh reality of this uncharted space. But despite the grand spectacle against which the mission to save mankind takes place, its the decision to focus on the much more personal relationship between a father and daughter that proves to be Interstellar’s defining strength. Every trial Matthew McConaughey’s Cooper faces, no matter how familiar some of them may seem, are made all the more distressful because you’ll be rooting for Cooper to make it home to his daughter.
Its the intimacy with which Interstellar approaches the central struggle Cooper faces, caught between being mankind’s last hope and being a good father, that elevates the experience as a whole. Its best not to divulge too much about the plot as its best to go in blind, but the simple astronauts on a mission structure opens up to some interesting twists and turns, especially in the final act. Some of the developments that drive events forward may evoke age old science fiction beats to anyone who’s even a little familiar with the genre but they’re all conveyed to such a standard here that you can forgive Interstellar the odd formulaic indulgence. After all seeing these genre staples unfold with Cooper at their heart makes them all the more emotionally intense, each one a memorable sequence that will remain with you long after the credits have rolled.
Even when Interstellar drives its human and science themes together, Amelia’s (Anne Hathaway) speech on love being a prime albeit weaker example, it succeeds in making them relevant to the grand scheme of things without ever becoming overly cheesy. Dialogue is littered with quotable lines that never come across as too unnaturally heady, the script keeping you as alert during the difficult talks as you are during its intense action. There’s even a few laughs that often reference its influences (predominantly 2001: A Space Odyssey) with a knowing wink that buffs and newcomers alike will appreciate. The epilogue is perhaps the only point where Interstellar doesn’t quite resonate on an emotional level as it has before, ending with a whimper that comes across as uncharacteristic of the resolve with which its endpoint is reached. Its far from unsatisfying however as the plot threads are for the most part all neatly tied up and the mission comes to a wonderfully ingenious conclusion; Interstellar may not leave the audience with many burning questions but it certainly leaves them touched by the events that have unfolded with an understanding of why they came to pass. Its an unexpected and ultimately gratifying takeaway from a film of this ilk.
What’s most impressive however is just how accessible the whole affair is; the human element certainly draws the viewer in before they’ve even left Earth, but its the way in which the science is integrated throughout the plot that’s even more impressive. Nolan has taken care to make sure the science holds true to many existing theories, heavily relying on elements of string theory and the like. If that sounds off putting however it shouldn’t, there’s very little in the way of exposition for its science as its only explained when the script demands it, generally preferring to remain a purely visual affair. It becomes a natural part of the narrative, just as organic as the lore of Lord of the Rings in its fantasy setting without ever compromising its real life inspirations. That’s not to say you won’t have to suspend disbelief when it toys with the facts a bit, but when its all presented so well you’ll just as easily be swept up in its wonder. And when it does lean more on the fiction side of the coin the proceedings come across as an exploration of what could be, rather than flights of fancy, remaining logical in the narrative Nolan has created.
Its mix of practical effects and convincing computer generated imagery go a long way to convincing us of this universe, the uncharted worlds each a marvel to behold no matter how desolate they may be. The robots that assist the crew, TARS and CASE, truly stand out in every scene they have. Blocks of chrome that fold and rearrange themselves to handle any task with elegant efficiency, they’re truly a sight to behold when in action. Hoyte Van Hoytema’s cinematography frames every scene perfectly, the interior of the ship is close and claustrophobic but the vistas of the worlds are shot distantly to emphasise the beauty of the stark environments (and just how small humans are in this universe). All of this is encompassed in Hanz Zimmer’s hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that evokes classic Sci-Fi whilst remaining its own unique beast.
Matthew McConaughey is the real stand out performance here as Cooper, his down earth manner keeping his performance believable whether he’s caring for his children or charting distant planets. One scene that has him catching up on a backlog of video messages is particularly hard hitting, without uttering a single word McConaughey will have you sympathising with Cooper’s plight on a profound level. Jessica Chastain (playing an older Murphy) is excellent throughout, shouldered with a character who has just as much emotional conflict to convey as McConaughey she more than convinces and keeps the events on Earth interesting to the end. Her childhood counterpart (Mackenzie Foy) deserves special mention as well, as she solidifies the relationship she has with her father in the first act with emotion so raw you’ll feel the connection she established long after Chastain has taken her place. The rest of the cast is well rounded, but never quite hit it out of the park like these three. Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine convince as the father-daughter scientists but never have the draw of Cooper despite their interesting subplot and the other crew (David Gyasi remains very appealing throughout) remain serviceable but aren’t given nearly enough material. Lastly however a surprise addition intensifies proceedings late in the game and Bill Irwin deserves special credit for bringing the humorous TARS to life.
Verdict
Interstellar is a remarkable film, a science fiction epic that captivates with its admirable quasi-science without ever needing to confuse or lecture its viewers. Its a film with brains for sure, one that’s wise enough to know that its heart is what’s most deserving of its attention, and Cooper’s human story is one that will hit harder than any spectacle space can offer. It may not be perfect, but its a monumental effort that comes damn close; a complete story that will keep you invested from start to finish. This is pure cinema that demands being seen on the big screen, an example of science fiction that will go down with the greats and who’s influence will likely be seen in the crafting of future features long into the future.
Hits
+The science is so naturally woven in that its rarely an issue
+McConaughey dominates as the endearing Cooper
+Jaw dropping visuals aided by practical effects
+Some truly intense sequences
+Hanz Zimmer’s hauntingly beautiful soundtrack
Misses
–Epilogue and a few supporting cast fall short
Overall Rating
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