Genre: Drama; Sci-fi; Action; Thriller
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Michael Caine
In theaters: August 26, 2020 (UK, Portugal, others)
I'm going to start this review by saying Tenet is not Christopher Nolan's best work, but it still is poised to be one of the best (and most memorable) movies of the year. It's a cerebral sci-fi thriller, fueled with eye-popping action scenes, a commanding John David Washington's performance and great turns from Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki. At some point of the movie, you feel like you're lost - but then Nolan gives you a key piece of his puzzle and you start putting things together!
No, Tenet is not a movie to walk-in hoping for a relaxed view! You must focus, you must think about the plot and you must solve the puzzle. It's the smartest movie I've seen in a while, with a rich time slipping plot and a logic that defies physics. So, have a coffee before you watch it - you'll need it, but you'll enjoy this ride.
The movie's major problem is its time! Literally, Nolan doesn't dispose of enough time to present you this cinematic puzzle's logic and evolve you with character development and the sense of their humanity. In fact, the biggest glimpse of some human warmth comes from Elizabeth Debicki - Nolan is no kind writer for actresses, with female characters lacking complexity and depth, but he's a clever director and he picks actresses who are able to elevate the thin material he gives to them (from Rebecca Hall and Johansson in The Prestige, to Cotillard in Inception and, now, Debicki in Tenet). If Debicki had a better written character, she would have been the best in show - she's perfect as the fragile wife with a violent relationship with her husband/villain - but that title belongs to Robert Pattinson! I'm a Twilight hater, but I can't deny how great Pattinson can be (and has been lately). His character, Neil, is not written to deliver such a punch, but Pattinson does it - specially in his last scene - he raises the material and offers something that lacks in the movie: charisma and empathy! It's a movie star turn in the same category as Brad Pitt's in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood!, but in a different genre, from a less bright star (yet) in a much less sunny movie.
As for John David Washington, he makes for an engaging hero and he makes what's asked from him: lead the movie. He was amazing in 2018's BlacKkKlansman, but he doesn't raise the material in this one for me. Don't get me wrong: he doesn't fail to lead the audiences, he does just what he has to do - nothing less, nothing more. It's positive, not brilliant. And Branagh fuels the scenes he's in as the movie's villain - too bad some of his lines and some of his on-screen goals feel a bit cliché, because there was room for him!
But what really raises Tenet above the average movie is its craft: Christopher Nolan at his most ambitious filmmaking level. Ambitious filmmaking sometimes can be a mess, and Tenet almost falls messy in some scenes, but somehow the director reestabilishes the balance right after. Ludwig Göransson's score is AMAZING and the sound work is ASTONISHING. The editing work is the most impressive Jennifer Lame has ever presented us (she was the editor of the almost minimalists Marriage Story, Manchester by the Sea or Frances Ha), thanks to the action scenes, in which she creates a sense of pace in fully syntony with the moment and the score. And the visual effects... MIND-BLOWING!
In the end, you realise Tenet is not perfect and it could have been better. It impresses more than soars, but it's ambitious and smart filmmaking. Masterclass craft work, an highly-original concept and stellar supporting performances bring life to Tenet and they turn the movie into an unforgettable movie experience (watch it in IMAX if you have the opportunity).
RATING: 4 / 5
OSCAR POTENTIAL CATEGORIES
Strong chances
- Best Editing (Jennifer Lame)
- Best Cinematography (Hoyte van Hoytema)
- Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson)
- Best Sound
- Best Visual Effects
It can happen:
- Best Picture
- Best Original Screenplay
Longshots:
- Best Supporting Actor (Robert Pattinson)
- Best Original Song ("The Plan")
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