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Inception: An Allegory for Film Making
bcuevas101 - wrote on 03/15/11
The science fiction action film Inception directed by Christopher Nolan, very subtly portrays the same characteristics of the making of a movie, only if one knows the essential people that are needed to create a movie that is able to keep their audience intent on the work they are creating. The film puts Leonardo DiCaprio in the role of Dom Cobb, a dream extractor, along with his team which include co-stars Ellen Page, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, and Dileep Rao, into a thrilling plot line which follows the typical conventions of a heist movie much like the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy, but instead of robbing casinos, they are in experts in stealing ideas. The film does not stray off the conventions of a heist film, but it does incorporate a new idea to the concept of a heist. If you’re not one who watches films for their subtle messages and thoughtful creation, then it will still astound you with its stunning action scenes and drama. As a reviewer for the website FilmCrave, in the full movie review section of films, I have watched and reviewed an array of many different film genres; ranging from romantic comedies to violent horror films. From all the genres of films I have seen, on many of them I have been able to decipher the message they are trying to convey or determine if it is just a pointless summer action film. This film; with its stunning CGI effects, mind-blowing action scenes, and heist movie conventions, is able to convey an ulterior metaphoric portrayal of how the movie industry works in Hollywood. To many heist film enthusiasts this film will more than satisfy; with a different twist in the typical conventions used; it will appeal to a broad audience with the many elements that are portrayed throughout the film.
Throughout the film, we see the important roles each character plays in the protagonist’s team. DiCaprio’s character is the leader of the group, Watanabe’s character is the employer of the team, and Cilian Murphy’s character (Robert Fischer Jr.) is the person who is the main target and purpose of the entire film. It seems apparent that the structure of characters in this manner makes it apparent that Nolan is implying metaphorically the way films are made; similar to the Pokemon games in which the developers include themselves in the game. If one were to really think about it, DiCaprio’s character (Cobb) is the representation of Nolan, the director. Cobb being the leader of his team and planning every move and tactic can be considered the director since, as he states very confident and suave, that he has done the job before. Gordon-Levitt’s character (Arthur) can be seen as the co-director, as he is DiCaprio’s wing man who does research on their targets and is the second in command of the team. Watanabe’s character, being the rich mogul that he portrays in the film, can be considered the producer of the film since he himself says that he has power over the U.S Immigration. Tom Hardy’s character (Eames) can be viewed as the actor/actors of the film since he is the “shape-shifter” of the team during the job and takes on different personas. Ellen Page’s character (Ariadne) who is the architect of Cobb’s team, can be symbolized as the set director who creates the settings since she creates the setting of the job for the team. Cilian Murphy (Robert Fischer Jr.) is the main target and the primary reason for the plot, but as you watch the film, you can conclude that he symbolizes the audience who is to watch the film/work made by the team.
The film’s opening scene begins with the protagonist lying on a beach leaving the audience to wonder how the protagonist arrived there and what is going to happen next. This is the climax point of the film, which means that the film will function in flashback to depict what had happened to the protagonist. It is much like the opening scene of Ocean’s Eleven, in which both follow the typical conventions of beginning with a climax in both heist films even though one begins in an interrogation room and the other on the shore of a beach. By now, you should already be able to tell, because of the film’s rhetorical device used opening scene, that this film will not just be another action blockbuster at the box office.
As known if one knows what follows after using the climax as the opening scene, we dive right into the flashback in order to follow the protagonist through the plot. We then begin to see the secondary protagonists of the film and also see some character development of them. As soon as the flashback begins, we meet Mr. Saito, along with Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) and Arthur (Joseph-Gordon Levitt) learning about dream infiltration and extraction. Little does one know at this point that this is the foundation of the film, much like beef is to a taco.
It is clear that Christopher Nolan intended his film to be mind boggling, thrilling, yet have a symbolic meaning toward film making. The film doesn’t disappoint and is targeted to audiences in the PG-13 and up category. Additionally it is open to audiences with different thinking perspectives, from action/thriller film cravers to audiences looking for something other than just astonishing action scenes and CGI graphics. I encourage everyone who reads this to take time off from whatever you might be doing this second (unless it’s something very important) and take time to watch this film, it won’t disappoint. Instead of spending your money on cheap $5 movies from Wal-Mart, make an investment and buy this film. It doesn’t matter how many times you re-watch this film, it will still hold its thrill factors that will keep you at the edge of your seat and you will even possibly discover other secrets of the film you might have not caught on your first watch. Once you watch it, you can make your own assumptions to the much-publicized ending that many of your friends and colleagues were talking about.
