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Why is It Cool to Hate on Christopher Nolan?

By Jameson Brown · November 5, 2014

Lately I have seen more and more articles, tweets, blog entries etc. breaking down Christopher Nolan, and I don't mean analyzing. I am talking about bashing and attempts at discrediting his filmmaking. Is it due to his recent comments he stated regarding Marvel's post credit sequences? Maybe. Who knows. I know one thing though, his ability to craft a story into an intellectual and emotional experience is sound, professional and engaging. Yes, I said emotional. Typically, when "emotion" is dropped anywhere in a "serious" filmmaker's movie it is automatically dubbed "over sentimental" or whatever other phrase comes to mind. And sometimes, that statement is true. But, in this case, it is not, nor is it the case with his previous films.  

Nolan, alongside his brother, is an expert at mapping out every piece of a screenplay and building it out to be a cohesive experience. By every piece I mean developed characters, a tight, coherent story and balanced pacing. He has had some trouble in the past with certain script pacing (TDKR to be specific) and has always been challenged with hand-to-hand combat action sequences. That being said, these are the only two pieces he has not completely mastered. Let me say he still is not bad at them. Everything else, he owns fully. 

Nolan also knows what to do with actors, especially high-octane actors. Sticking to the script is a must, but he gives them room to breathe and do what they do best. He understands that one of the most important aspects of directing is incubation, not suffocation. He knows how to not just be creative, but effectively harness his creativity into something that is articulate and pointed. That friends, is no easy task. 

Finally, Mr. Nolan has the best comprehension of grand scale – allowing the final [large] product to be just as significant as each individual piece of the story. On a whole, summer blockbusters dull the senses and are produced solely for profit and explosions. Sadly, this strategy seems to be trending (ie. TMNT reboot). Nolan likes the high stakes, but he likes his story and characters more. He will be forever winning for that in my book. 

So, to all the haters, relax. Give Nolan the credit he deserves. He exemplifies the talent, charisma and passion for storytelling we are always discussing we need. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=S45OH9_G0ew%26nbsp%3B

Photos 1, 2 & 3: Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. 

Photo 4: The Hollywood Reporter

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