Inception, 2010: Reality, Dreams, And The Real World Implications Of The Subconscious Mind
Background
“Inception” is a 2010 science fiction action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, who also produced the film with Emma Thomas, his wife. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, a professional thief and corporate spy who steals information by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets through a shared “lucid dream state.”
He is offered a chance through a work offer to have his criminal history erased as payment for the implantation of another person's idea into a target's subconscious. Cobb played by DiCaprio then sets out to build a team of dream infiltration professionals in order to complete the mission. The ensemble cast includes Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Dileep Rao, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, and Michael Caine.
Christopher Nolan's “Inception” stands as a testament to the power of cinematic storytelling to captivate and challenge the audience's imagination. A masterpiece of science fiction and psychological intrigue, the film seamlessly weaves intricate plot threads with stunning visuals and thought-provoking themes, resulting in an unparalleled cinematic experience that continues to resonate years after its release.
Nolan's signature style is evident in the film's exploration of time manipulation and the human psyche, a theme that has become synonymous with his directorial approach. “Inception” follows in the footsteps of Nolan's earlier works, such as “Memento” and “The Prestige,” by diving deep into the complexities of human perception and the interplay between reality and illusion.
The Premise of the Film
The entire premise of the film surrounds navigating the unconscious and subconscious mind. The film details the usage of corporate espionage in the subconscious mind by characters whose jobs are to infiltrate the dreams of business magnates and powerful industry professionals.
Through infiltrating the dreams of powerful industry leaders, they are able to impact their most important business decisions, which can have geopolitical repercussions. Extremely confidential information is extracted from dreams by these espionage professionals that work as hired guns to operate in a shared “dream state.”
Roger Ebert describes the film saying it is all about process, about fighting our way through enveloping sheets of reality and dream, reality within dreams, dreams without reality.
The film introduces us to Dom Cobb (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a skilled extractor who specializes in entering people's dreams to extract their secrets. Cobb's life is marked by personal turmoil and the specter of his late wife, Mal (Marion Cotillard), who continues to haunt his subconscious. When presented with the opportunity to perform inception—an act of planting an idea in someone's mind rather than extracting one—Cobb assembles a team of skilled individuals to embark on a daring mission.
The main mission of the team in the story is to convince the heir to a major energy corporation to dissolve a multinational company in order to avoid it from becoming a monopoly and stomping out any remaining competition in a sense making the company a global superpower rivaling the power of even some global governments.
The target of Inception’s main mission, who is the heir to the major corporation in question, is intercepted as he falls asleep onboard a commercial flight in the first class cabin, of a multinational trip from Australia to the United States. From the target’s point of view, the story occurs as a fever dream on this trip to visit his father who recently passed and yet it comes to change probably everything about the characters next intentions.
Cinematography And Acting
The visual splendor of “Inception” is a feast for the eyes, showcasing Nolan's commitment to practical effects and visually stunning sequences. The gravity-defying scenes in zero gravity, the awe-inspiring cityscapes that fold in on themselves, and the breathtaking action sequences demonstrate Nolan's dedication to pushing the boundaries of cinematic spectacle. The combination of practical effects, meticulously crafted sets, and top-notch cinematography by Wally Pfister results in a visual experience that is as awe-inspiring as it is immersive.
The cast of “Inception” delivers performances that breathe life into the film's complex characters. Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of Dom Cobb is both charismatic and haunting, capturing the character's inner turmoil and determination with precision. The ensemble cast, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Ellen Page, and Cillian Murphy, each brings their unique charisma to their roles, contributing to the film's rich tapestry of personalities.
The Technology In The Story
The entire film feels like a guide to a technology that either has not been created yet or has been suppressed from the public. The concept of dream control has become increasingly popular in 2021 as declassified CIA reports on astral projection and lucid dreaming have gone viral across various publishers and social media apps like “TikTok.”
One example in CIA records involve remote viewer Angela Dellafiora Ford. She apparently helped track down a wanted criminal who had gone on the run. She was able to pinpoint his location as “Lowell, Wyoming”. and authorities apprehend him within a surprisingly close distance of a Wyoming town called Lovell. One could argue this is a real world application of the theories posed in Inception.
The scientific understanding of the human mind is still largely yet to be explored with little evidence about how people can dream lucidly or can occasionally encounter unexplainable situations with real world implications.
The Moment Of Catharsis
The team of dream infiltrators take advantage of the heir’s tumultuous relationship with his father and implant an antithetical idea. Instead of their poor relationship being due to his father’s inability to provide the attention and validation his son desperately needed while trying to fill his shoes, it is because his father did not want him to fill his shoes and instead pursue and develop his own passions and ambitions outside of the family business.
This simple injection of an idea into the subject’s subconscious, planted unknowingly by a business competitor, could change global business as a result for better or worse.
Cillian Murphy explains the relationship himself saying, “Despite his vast wealth, [Fischer] is riddled with all sorts of insecurities, as one might expect of someone who has lived his entire life in the shadow of a hugely powerful individual. It doesn't help that he has a very strained relationship with his father. So here you have a person who is about to inherit the world and is lacking for nothing except, perhaps, the thing he wants most: a proper relationship with his father.”
The conclusion of "Inception" culminates in a moment of profound emotional resonance. As the audience witnesses the culmination of the intricate plan to perform inception on Robert Fischer (played by Cillian Murphy), the emotional weight of the deception becomes palpable. The tension between the job at hand and the genuine connection that has been fostered with Fischer creates a poignant juxtaposition that speaks to the film's exploration of the blurred lines between reality, illusion, and emotion.
The revelation that the inception performed on Fischer involves the creation of a false memory—one that revolves around a loving and nurturing relationship with his father—is a powerful storytelling device. This twist not only adds another layer of complexity to the narrative but also serves as a commentary on the malleability of memory and the emotional truths that individuals hold dear. The notion that a beautiful lie can be more potent and comforting than a stark reality underscores the film's exploration of the human psyche and the roles that perception and emotion play in shaping our experiences.
Cillian Murphy's portrayal of Robert Fischer is nothing short of remarkable. His ability to convey a range of emotions, from vulnerability and confusion to enlightenment and resolve, adds depth and authenticity to the character. Murphy's performance grants the audience access to Fischer's internal struggle and growth, making his transformation a poignant and relatable journey. Cillian Murphy’s performance as the baby-faced heir is impeccable, filled with raw and authentic emotion.
The emotional impact of the ending scene is a testament to the film's commitment to exploring the depths of human psychology while also delivering a visually stunning and intellectually engaging narrative. By intertwining the intricacies of the inception job with the emotional arcs of the characters, “Inception” transcends the boundaries of traditional action and science fiction genres to become a thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.
The ending scene of “Inception” is a masterstroke of storytelling that seamlessly merges the film's complex narrative threads with its exploration of human emotion and perception. The culmination of the inception job on Fischer, combined with the revelation of the beautiful lie, creates a powerful and resonant moment that lingers in the minds and hearts of the audience. Cillian Murphy's exceptional performance as Fischer elevates the emotional depth of the scene, infusing it with raw and authentic emotion. “Inception” stands as a cinematic triumph, demonstrating the power of storytelling to not only captivate visually but also to evoke a profound emotional connection with its audience.
The Complexity Of The Film
The complexity of "Inception" is evident from the outset, as the narrative layers dreams within dreams, creating a labyrinthine structure that mirrors the intricacies of the human mind. Nolan's screenplay is a masterwork of intricate plotting and thematic exploration, delving into concepts of reality, perception, and the fragility of memory. As the film navigates between various dream levels, the audience is taken on a mind-bending journey that challenges their understanding of time, space, and the boundaries between reality and illusion.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nolan again spoke about the film's open interpretation of the ending in which DiCaprio’s fate was unknown at the end of the film while giving a speech at Princeton's commencement in 2015.
"Leonardo DiCaprio's character Cobb — he was off with his kids, he was in his own subjective reality," Nolan said. "He didn't really care anymore, and that makes a statement: perhaps, all levels of reality are valid. The camera moves over the spinning top just before it appears to be wobbling, it was cut to black." Ultimately, the concept that your reality is not real could be true, it could not be true, but in the end the question arises whether that even matters since the brain works in such mysterious ways.
While “Inception” is undeniably a triumph of imagination and craftsmanship, its intricate plot and multi-layered narrative might prove challenging for some viewers to fully grasp on initial viewing. The film demands active engagement and rewards the attentive viewer with layers of symbolism, emotion, and intellectual stimulation. Additionally, some critics have noted that the emotional depth of the characters can sometimes take a backseat to the film's elaborate conceptual framework.
Conclusion
"Inception" is a cinematic tour de force that defies genre conventions and elevates the science fiction genre to new heights. Christopher Nolan's storytelling prowess, combined with a stellar cast and breathtaking visuals, creates an experience that challenges the mind while igniting the imagination. The film's exploration of dreams, reality, and the intricate workings of the human mind invites viewers on a journey that lingers long after the credits roll. "Inception" is a triumph of storytelling and visual artistry that continues to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of modern cinema.
Ultimately, the film reveals how important the subconscious mind is in the real world. We are all exposed to things that can impact our subconscious in different ways like advertisements, social media, or propaganda. The important lesson to take from “Inception” is to essentially protect your subconscious from the ideas you are exposed to, whether valid or invalid. In this world of “fake news” and misleading information it is important to come to your own educated conclusions around things while also not ignoring the advice of professionals.
