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**BodoidearoLew** · 07-19-2010, 11:11 PM

Imagine if the Matrix trilogy began with the second and third parts, and you have an idea of why it's so convoluted.

Spoiler alert:
The story begins in medias res as a way of mimicking the dream-state experience. Dreams lack concrete beginnings. At various points in the film, DiCaprio's character uses this knowledge to function as a crude test in determining whether he is in a dream-state. Beginning in the middle of things is a dramatic device that dates at least as far back as ancient Greece. And the film is replete with classical allusions: Plato's Republic, the Odyssey, labyrinths and the myth of Ariadne are all referenced.

So I wouldn't say the story is convoluted. Even from the start, it's actually quite easy to follow. And though the plot gets more intricate towards the end with frenetic editing and multiple levels of reality occurring simultaneously, it's meticulously well structured. The sudden, unexpected cross-cuts used frequently throughout the film serve to disorient the viewer and further mimic the fragmentary nature of dreams (a clue to the ending). Nolan knows better than to coddle his audience. If you've seen Momento then the fractured narrative and unreliability of memory shouldn't come as much of a shock.

Inception is a philosophically rich film that is far, far superior to TDK as a work of filmmaking. It's nice to see Nolan returning to form.

07-19-2010, 11:11 PM	#16
BodoidearoLew Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 331 Senior Member	Imagine if the Matrix trilogy began with the second and third parts, and you have an idea of why it's so convoluted. Spoiler alert: The story begins in medias res as a way of mimicking the dream-state experience. Dreams lack concrete beginnings. At various points in the film, DiCaprio's character uses this knowledge to function as a crude test in determining whether he is in a dream-state. Beginning in the middle of things is a dramatic device that dates at least as far back as ancient Greece. And the film is replete with classical allusions: Plato's Republic, the Odyssey, labyrinths and the myth of Ariadne are all referenced. So I wouldn't say the story is convoluted. Even from the start, it's actually quite easy to follow. And though the plot gets more intricate towards the end with frenetic editing and multiple levels of reality occurring simultaneously, it's meticulously well structured. The sudden, unexpected cross-cuts used frequently throughout the film serve to disorient the viewer and further mimic the fragmentary nature of dreams (a clue to the ending). Nolan knows better than to coddle his audience. If you've seen Momento then the fractured narrative and unreliability of memory shouldn't come as much of a shock. Inception is a philosophically rich film that is far, far superior to TDK as a work of filmmaking. It's nice to see Nolan returning to form.
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