Christopher Nolan is easily one of the best directors working today. He has a perfect track record thus far, and with the release of The Dark Knight on July 18th, his streak is sure to continue. At the age of 37, he has 5 great films under his belt. It begs the question why Nolan's name isn't always mentioned among the great film makers to emerge out of the 90s, such as Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino (who is nearly 10 years Nolan's senior). I figure it's a good time to look back on Nolan's first decade in film.
Following (1998)
His first feature film was very low budget, but very high quality. Nolan personally shot the black & white movie in 1996 for only $6000. The strength of the storytelling quickly puts the thought out of your mind that it was made so cheap. The scenes are shown out of chronological order, forcing the viewer to put together the pieces before the superb twist ending. A great film, a must-see.
Memento (2000)
Perhaps Nolan's best film so far, Memento is a wholly original suspense thriller masterpiece. The film is shown completely backwards to disorient the viewer to match how the short term memory disorder suffering protagonist feels. Like Leonard, played brilliantly by Guy Pearce, we see each scene without knowing what came before it. He is a widower, trying to find the man responsible for his wife's death. Some of the best storytelling I have ever witnessed culminates in a devastating fashion.
Insomnia (2002)
Nolan's only remake, Insomnia, is based on a Norwegian film of the same name. I have yet to see the original, even though I own it (lazyyyy), but I've heard Nolan's retelling is superior. The plot follows two detectives sent to Alaska to solve a homicide. It just so happens it's the "sunny season", when the sun stays up 24/7, causing main character Will Dormer (a great performance from Al Pacino) to suffer from insomnia. Being unable to sleep affects his work and his personal life and the consequences are dire. This may be the movie that stands out the least in Nolan's career, but it is undeniably suspenseful and another great story from a master storyteller.
Batman Begins (2005)
The prospect of Batman Begins was likely more exciting for me than anyone else. One of my favourite directors is chosen to co-write and direct a movie about my favourite comic book character, and they hire my favourite actor in the lead. I knew the movie was going to be great, but maybe not this great. It is the first Batman film that actually feels like the comic book, perfectly portraying The Dark Knight as a a frightening figure and Bruce Wayne as lonely man who must do good but hide his intentions from the public and all that are close to him. Considering Batman has no super powers, the film is actually somewhat plausible in the real word. One of the better superhero movies ever made.
The Prestige (2006)
Nolan again teams up with Christian Bale to make The Prestige, an intelligent period film about two rival magicians whose obsession with beating each other swallows their lives. The acting was electric, and the movie itself unraveled like a magic trick. Regrettably, I figured out the twist early on, but ultimately this is a film about two men tragically wasting themselves, and it's remarkably effective.
I have to admit, my expectations for The Dark Knight are dangerously high, even with early praise affirming what I have hoped. None higher, however, are my expectations for the remainder of Christopher Nolan's already accomplished career. I have no doubt he has more masterpieces in store.
As a bonus, here is a great little short film Nolan made while in College, titled Doodle Bug.
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