For me Dunkirk is the first great film of 2017 and something that I think will endure in the years to come. It is a new type of war film and has come under criticism for its lack of characterization. I disagree, I think we get to know these people very well even though it is conveyed in a very minimal way. I appreciate the opportunity to have a review of such a great picture published with Heavy Magazine and hope I have done the film and the magazine justice with my review.
Please click on the link here https://heavymag.com.au/film-review-dunkirk/ to read my review and I hope you enjoy.
Heavy is an independent magazine and website that is all about the music and specifically heavy music and supporting the Australian music scene in general. Fortunately for me they do cover film as well and I have been fortunate to have a few things published there.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
An enthusiastic review indeed, Lloyd, and you obviously enjoyed the film. I haven’t seen it yet, but everyone I personally know who has seen it was disappointed, to say the least. I wonder if you have ever seen this version, from 1958? An excellent cast, and a realistic feel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_(1958_film)
Best wishes, Pete.
I saw it last weekend. So many great things to say about it, but alas, I’m in the disappointed category. Lovely review, Lloyd.
You too, Cindy? I don’t know anyone who really liked it.
The cinematography was fine. I was charmed by Mark Rylance. He’s great in anything. Tom Hardy’s perspective in the air was cool, although, you can’t really say he “acted” well since his face was completely covered by a mask in a plane the whole time. It’s worth seeing, but like the others, it’s the lack of connection I felt with Harry Styles and his mates trying to survive. Just couldn’t feel.
You’re not alone Cindy, I dug Hardy’s acting again with half of his face covered. What is it with this guy? 🙂 He has to convey a lo with a little. It is up to you if he succeeds. Mark Rylance and me have a complicated history since I robbed Sylvester Stallone of his best chance at Oscar glory and got to sit near Jennifer Garner at the same Academy Awards! How much do you want Mr Rylance? The whole bloody world! He was great in this though, just a good man trying to do something brave. Thank you for your thoughts Cindy, always good to talk to you about movies.
Always.
Two people at work saw it, one did not like it and one did. I went and saw it with my father and brother. Something we rarely do and we all enjoyed it. It certainly is polarising.
I don’t know if I would be in a rush to see it again. Might drag in spots second time around but for me it was mesmerising and the more I think on it the more enthused I am about it.
Thanks Cindy and thanks for reading. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the film as much as I did but to each their own. 🙂
I enjoyed it. The air-fight scenes I’ll be showing in my class!
Not yet Pete but hope to. Your friends are not alone, there seems to be a variety of responses to it. You know how I feel 🙂 I hope you see it at some point and enjoy it but who knows. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review, I really appreciate it.
Always a pleasure to read anything from you, Lloyd.
Thanks Pete, right back at you buddy.
The aerial shots are the best ever done in film. Amazing. The cinematography, overall, exceptional. The father and son and friend on the boat, the best part. It’s the lack of characterization, the disconnect between the principal young soldier and his Froggy friend that left me yawning.
I’m not sure how I feel about the latter stages of The Mole story I will grant you. A colleague at work did not care for the film and she did like the boat storyline the best. I think because for her that was a story as opposed to scenarios which is what she thought the others ones were. For me it is how it all adds up. Dunkirk was a defeat that became a rallying cry. There’s a lot about the realities of war and the stories we tell ourselves after. How important perspective can be. Harry Styles projects his guilt onto a man that won’t look him in the eye. Another walks past and sees a blind man doing a kind act. A young boy dies in a minor scuffle. Unnecessary and unintended. He becomes a hero like he wanted to be in the local paper. Is that a lie or just a story? Was he being any less heroic than Tom Hardy’s character? The film shows the fear of young men in combat but also the grace of a single individual doing something gallant for the many. I’m sorry I’m prattling on. But these things made the film for me. By saying so little, but leaving it up to you it…it spoke volumes to me. I’m really blown away by it but if you’re not engaged by it I can see how it would be a painful slog. Nolan’s films have never struck me as being terribly flashy with the cinematography but they usually capture whatever toys they were playing with clearly and I think that remains the case with this film. I thought some shots were just terrific.
Well, goodness! You gave the film meaning in your explanation. You saw it. I missed it. Now I bet if I saw it a second time, I’d like it more.
Thanks Cindy, all we can do is take in a film on our own terms. Your words too have made me think about how effectively the film entertains.
An excellent review of a film that I shall definitely go and see. Well done!
Thank you John that is most kind, take care to note some have been disappointed by it but yes I loved it and I hope you do too. Thank you for reading.