Though he is most famous for his “Batman” trilogy, which revitalized the cinematic treatment of the character, director Christopher Nolan has always been interested in taking interesting ideas and turning them into visual spectacles. He made a film that progressed backwards (2000’s “Memento”), explored the world of dreams in 2010’s “Inception” and in his latest film “Interestellar,” he sets out to explore space and beyond.
“Interstellar” stars Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club”) as Cooper, a widowed engineer and air pilot who yearns to explore the stars. Along with his daughter Murphy (Mackenzie Foy, “The Conjuring”) and son Thomas (Timothee Chalamet, “Men, Women and Children”), he discovers an old plane with some mysterious coordinates. Cooper and Murphy travel to the location indicated, discovering that it is NASA headquarters, headed by the reclusive Professor Brand (Michael Caine, “Children of Men”).
As Cooper finds out, humanity will become extinct in the next generation, due to a mysterious blight poised to wipe out corn, the product currently grown by Cooper and his family. To save humanity, Cooper is asked to go on a voyage into space and through a wormhole to determine a new planet for humanity to settle. So along with Brand’s daughter Amelia (Anne Hathaway, “Les Miserables”), and scientists Romily (David Gyatsi, “Cloud Atlas”) and Doyle (Wes Bentley, “The Hunger Games”), Cooper sets out for the stars.
Visually, the film is breathtaking. Cinematographer Hotye van Hoteyma (“Her”) and production designer Nathan Crowley (“The Dark Knight”) create fantastic, massive images of space and the surfaces of the planets visited, such as the spherical wormhole and the icy plains where the crew meets Dr. Mann (Matt Damon, “The Bourne Identity”). Like “2001: A Space Odyssey,” a clear influence for the film, there are no sounds in space, and it can be a rather quiet and contemplative film. It’s an experience that is essential to see on the big screen, preferably on IMAX or a similar format. The bombastic, grand score by Hans Zimmer (“Man of Steel”) also adds to this truly epic atmosphere.
The script, written by the director and his brother Jonathan Nolan, does a superb job balancing the personal and emotional core of the relationship Cooper has with his family (especially between him and his daughter) and the apocalyptic scenario down on Earth. One particularly strong moment is after the crew travels to a planet where one hour is equal to seven years. When they return, 23 years have passed, and it is heartbreaking to watch Cooper break down watching the video messages his children have sent him, as the now elder Murphy (Jessica Chastain, “Zero Dark Thirty”) reveals that she is now the same age as when he left Earth.
Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne was on hand to consult during the production of the film, so the dialogue about spacetime, wormholes and relativity is scientifically accurate as possible.
In terms of performances, McConaughey gives a strong performance of emotional depth, from the anguish of a father separated from his family, an explorer marveling at the wonders of space and a leader who sacrifices himself for the good of humanity. Jessica Chastain embraces her role well, taking over for Dr. Brand when he passes away and trying to save humanity before its too late. Hathaway gives Amelia a cold demeanor, which masks a fragile vulnerability beneath.
As with any “hard sci-fi” movie like last year’s “Gravity” and “2001,” “Interstellar” is a magnificent space movie. The lengthy running time of nearly three hours justifies its epic story of transcending time. It’s a movie that should be seen on the big screen.
“Interstellar” (PG-13, 169 min) opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 7.
