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Christopher Nolan is a mad scientist.
The British filmmaker is obsessed with manipulating time as a tool to elicit emotional responses.
Memento, Inception, Dunkirk, and Tenet all explore the concept of time.
However, Nolans defining use of time as a narrative gadget happens in Interstellar.
These intimate details have made Interstellar one of his best movies.
The final act of the ‘McConaissance’
Alright, alright, alright.
Before 2011, the proud Texans filmography could be defined by three roles.
The first was Wooderson in Richard Linklaters Dazed and Confused.
With a slick hairstyle and the films standout monologue, McConaughey was ready to be a leading man.
Enter the 2000s, and McConaughey enters his rom-com era.
McConaughey is the charming sex symbol and Hollywoods rom-com king.
But the actor needed to change by the end of the decade.
The most important film at the beginning of McConaugheys ascension is 2012s Mud.
Jeff Nichols coming-of-age drama.
Nolan watches Mud, and the film inspires him to cast McConaughey in Interstellar.
Nolans ensembles are always stacked with top talent.
Yet the movies emotional core and message rest squarely upon the shoulders of McConaughey.
The movie loses its heartbeat if McConaughey cant deliver the riveting monologues or lead the tense action sequences.
In the final act of the McConaissance, McConaughey brought his A-game.
Nolan was the perfect filmmaker to tackle space travel and convey how small humanity is in a never-ending galaxy.
The visuals of Cooper and the crew traveling through Gargantua are awe-inspiring.
Its top-tier symbolism from Nolan.
Hans Zimmer, the maestro behind a sensational score, is the secret weapon in “Interstellar.”
The story goes that Nolan approached Zimmer to write a piece of music for a single page of work.
On the paper was a short story about a father leaving his daughter to complete an important job.
The only dialogue written wasIll come back and When.
Zimmer understood Interstellar was rooted in this relationship between a parent and child.
The suspenseful music strengthens Nolans messages and provides answers to his questions.
The chords are slowly developing and grow stronger as each scene progresses.
Its as if each song starts with a question and answers it by the end of the piece.
Nolan makes it abundantly clear that Interstellar is a father-daughter story and the most personal movie in his filmography.
Nolan never lets the audience forget that, especially after the debacle on the water planet.
After losing over 20 years, Cooper watches video messages from his family.
The realization that Cooper may never see his family again brings him to tears.
Nolan called this moment the north star of the film.
Its a scene that will go on McConaugheys highlight reel when his career ends.
Cooper never gave up because his love for Murphy never died.
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