Why This is Good

I have to take a break from the Archetype discussion to talk about how awesome Inception is. Seriously, Leonardo DiCaprio has really impressed me with his recent roles (I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to know that I, Ginger Earle, am impressed with him), and Christopher Nolan has crafted another mind-bending, fascinating, amazing story.

What I most loved about this film was how incredibly complex, intriguing, multi-layered, and unique the story was while still fitting into the story structure model put forth by screenwriting gurus such as Michael Hauge. This film proved that there is infinite room for variety and creativity within the storytelling model that has been proven to work again and again. The structure rules are there because they represent the best way to tell a story. The rules exist because they are modeled around the way we hear and understand story.  They are not there to constrict or stifle, they are there to allow ideas to flow and be understood. The structure rules are not limiting, they are limitless, and allow for completely new and amazing stories to be told without breaking the rules.

Inception does everything right. It is constantly challenging to both the audience and the heroes. There are complex dimensions to the characters and the situations they find themselves in. There is a clear goal, a ticking clock, a wound, and continually increasing difficulty, and of course, life and death stakes. As with Memento, Christopher Nolan plays with our perception of reality and understanding without too far and completely confusing and confounding the viewer. We are challenged, but we can understand what is going on, without having a doctoral degree in quantum mechanics, or having to see the film 19 times. And figuring out what is real, what might be real, what everything meant, is half of the joy of seeing this film. I highly recommend it, I know you will enjoy it!