Don’t Overthink It

One of the most anticipated movies of 2020 and the first blockbuster film to be released in almost 6 months.

There are many words that can be used to describe Tenet. Mind-blowing, spectacular, absurd, complex, innovative, baffling, grandiose, incredibly ambitious.

I am a big Christopher Nolan fan. Have been since his Dark Knight trilogy and became a true STAN after his work on Inception. Nolan redefined the comic book movie genre as well as the science-fiction thriller genre. His highbrow and intellectual stories have given him a well-deserved legion of fans around the world.

This film has everything a Nolan fan wants and expects from a Nolan film. I loved this film but I also have to admit that there are some issues that even I couldn’t ignore as a Nolan fan.

If any of you have ever seen Nolan’s 2014 Interstellar, you might know where I’m coming from. I loved Interstellar, incredibly well made, amazing score, spectacular visuals, top-notch cast. However, Nolan lost many of his viewers during the third act of that film, me included. The whole crossing dimensions and communicating through space and time was its Achilles heel. I am sure that all of Nolan’s theories are well researched and may in some points have scientific facts to support it. However, as a non-scientist, it makes it hard for me, and for many, to be entertained when Nolan’s playground turns into a chemistry chart.

If you were one of those who lost it at the end of Interstellar then you better get ready for round 2.

Overall Thoughts

Tenet is a great movie, it can even be called a spectacular movie. The set design, acting, visuals, and even story are top-notch. However, the science of the film is a difficult one to grasp. We are even told by Clémence Guichard, who plays scientist Laura, to not overthink it. Having watched the film, I feel as if that should have been the subtitle for this movie; TENET: Don’t Overthink It. Then again to fully enjoy the film you have to piece the puzzle together.

I am not surprised Nolan has been so adamant about releasing this film on streaming. This movie needs to be experienced on the big screen and, based on the nature of the film, it needs a few repeat visits in order for its fans to fully grasp its meaning.

Story (NO SPOILERS!)

The story follows a CIA agent called The Protagonist, played by John David Washington. The Protagonist is recruited by a secret organisation, known as Tenet, who are trying to prevent World War III. In this organisation, The Protagonist learns that in the future, a type of technology has been developed which allows certain objects to move backward through time.

It is believed that this technology has been sent back in time from the future in order to help reverse the mechanical energy of the entire Earth, believing that this would reverse climate change. Doing this however would kill everyone on earth.

The Protagonist goes on a quest to acquire nine reversible pieces before our villain uses it to kill all of humanity. Have I lost you yet?

Cast

John David Washington as The Protagonist. I have to be honest, I was not happy with Washington’s performance here. I thought Washington’s previous work in Black Klansman (2018) was spectacular and deserved the Oscar nomination over Adam Driver. However, his work here seemed rushed. The script is very fast-paced and the dialogue sometimes appears to be in a fast forward setting. His line delivery was at times robotic. I could also sense that he was reciting the words of a script and so his performance failed to seem natural to me. Furthermore, he didn’t have the charisma or the presence of a leading man. His performance wasn’t mediocre but it wasn’t outstanding either.

Elizabeth Debicki as Kat. Debicki has always given a standout performance in all that she’s been in. However, her role here is not much different from her previous ones. Nolan’s decision to make her the leading lady opposite Washington is questionable, to say the least. Both are great actors but have absolutely no chemistry together and their love-affair is as unbelievable as this film’s science.

Robert Pattison as Neil. Pattison’s performance was great. There’s not much to say really. He was good.

Director

Nolan produces an excellent film with lots of twists and mind-blowing visuals. However, I do believe that his work here is closer to that of Interstellar and Dunkirk than it is to that of Inception or The Dark Knight. Spectacular visuals, overcomplicated story.

Production Design and Cinematography

Outstanding! This movie deserves all of the technical awards it’s bound to get.

Conclusion

This movie is a must-see on the big screen. Christopher Nolan is an outstanding director and his work is top-notch. Please let me know your thoughts on the film below. I’m still having a hard time trying to piece the puzzle together.