Cinema Vitæ

in·cep·tion/ [in-sep-shuhn] – noun.  1. beginning; start; commencement.  That moment in time when something begins – the shot of a starter’s pistol, a confession, a cornerstone, an idea.  Of the latter, where does it begin and how does it successfully take root so as one day to grow into an action?  This is the question that writer/director Christopher Nolan looks to plumb in his latest mind-bending cinematic confection.

Inception tells the story of Cobb (played lethargically by Leonardo DiCaprio) who has been hired to surreptitiously plant an idea in the mind of a recently christened energy mogul in return for a free pass through US customs and a reunion with his children.  Cobb assembles his A-Team of professionals (including an always sharp looking Gordon-Levitt and a forever monotonic Ellen Page) who look to dream dive in order to plant the thought.  Of course, it stands to reason (at least in Nolan’s mind) that an idea has to be buried very deep for it to have any hope of seeming genuine, and of “oneself.”  Thus commences the viewer’s journey into dreams within dreams within dreams (to the fourth or, perhaps, fifth power).

Sound confusing?  Well, yes, the film does become so and exasperating a times, but it is never dull.  As Nolan continually moves two steps ahead of the viewer to extend his labyrinth, we are convinced of three things:

1. We inherently trust Nolan to both build the maze and lead us out of it;
2. We have never seen anything like this before; and
3. We are having lots (and lots) of fun.

Regarding numbers two and three above, I have nothing to add other than to say, “Go see this film.”  Of number one, however, it would be an interesting study to see exactly where this idea came from.  Did it appear on some dark night during a period of insomnia?  Is it perhaps because Nolan’s prestige fills an unconscious cinematic void in a world once populated by a happening Shyamalan and a Spielberg who knew better than to leave his crystal skull lying around?  Of course, I speculate here.  I don’t know where the idea germinated, but somewhere down deep in the layers of my cranium is a little thought that equates “Nolan” with “amazing.”  The result of such a belief is that when I next hear his name, I will purchase a movie ticket.   Mission accomplished.