Sunday, July 8, 2007

71 Minutes Well Spent

Following was written, directed and shot (in B&W) in 1999 by Christopher Nolan. Part thriller, part drama, this is a story using flashbacks and triple-crossing plot to explore the betrayal of victims by burglars. The sound editing backs up the bleakness of spirit permeating the film. It is a psychological study of a burglar who claims his motivation is anthropological study: "Take it away to show them what they had". The theme of consumerism aside, by the end we begin to consider the nature of culpability, and in fact which of the commandments it is worse to breach (it would be a spoiler if I elaborated). So the chicken and the egg question arises, and in turn we ask questions about social issues and problems. You can watch this film purely as entertainment, but it is also good brain candy. Rated 14A, recipient of many awards including Toronto International Film Festival recognition.

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