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"Tenet" is a Bittersweet Return to Theaters -- Plus: Nolan Rankings

A review of Christopher Nolan's new blockbuster "Tenet" starring John David Washington. Plus, my complete ranking of Nolan's films.

By Aaron DeLoriaPublished 3 years ago 6 min read
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John David Washington in "Tenet." P/C Warner Bros. Pictures.

Of the few movies released in theaters this year, none faced such insurmountable expectations as Tenet, Christopher Nolan’s action-thriller science fiction film. Going into his 11th film, Nolan, known for mind-bending thrillers like Memento and Inception and giant blockbuster action films such as The Dark Knight and Dunkirk, faced audience anticipation that Tenet would not only clear every bar set by Nolan himself, but also effectively re-open movie theaters during a worldwide pandemic.

And not for a lack of trying, the Tenet experiment didn’t work, only making $340 million on a $200 million budget as of this past weekend. Theater closures and general fear of COVID-19 stamped all chances of the film being a smash hit at the box office. Despite an original July release date, most Americans couldn’t see it until September 3, the rest forced to wait even longer due to state mandates surrounding theater openings.

I recognize it’s a bit late for this review, but being a New Yorker guaranteed that I couldn’t see Tenet until October 23, when theaters were finally allowed to open in New York State (excluding New York City) by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. After a 7-month long hiatus, I bought a ticket for Tenet as soon as I could on the biggest screen I could find. And it was absolutely worth the wait.

I mention the expectations faced by Tenet because I kept them in mind while considering the film’s overall success. In a nutshell, Tenet is both genuinely astounding and considerably maddening as both a film and theater experience.

As a film, Tenet is exactly what I expected from Nolan: A high-concept thriller set in a fictional yet scientifically-grounded universe that packs in tons of striking visuals and set pieces, but totally confuses me the first time around. Think Inception or Interstellar. In terms of the plot, I am both unwilling and unable to give out too many details because the plot is not only maze-like (in typical Nolan fashion), it oftentimes involves time moving both forwards in backwards at the same time in the same scene. In one overly simplified logline, Tenet involves an agent that uses time inversion tactics in an effort to stop World War III. As linear thinkers, I believe most humans will struggle grasping Tenet’s commitment to non-linear time perception on the first watch. I certainly did, and believe me, my head hurt after.

But it was a good hurt. I trust Nolan enough where I’m sure after a few more watches Tenet will not only make complete sense but also more effectively communicate its themes and ideas. Tenet certainly earns many repeat viewings thanks to hypnotic visuals and committed performances from John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh. However, what Tenet does not earn are repeat viewings in a theater.

John David Washington and Robert Pattinson in "Tenet." P/C Warner Bros.

Seeing this in IMAX knocked my socks off. The opening sequence involves a siege at a crowded opera house (won’t say any more). The action is intense. As if we weren’t already nervous about large social gatherings thanks to our nation’s history with mass shootings, but now we have germs to panic about. Washington and his team of soldiers storm the place with such tactical style, bullets start flying, bombs are planted, and hell breaks loose, all accompanied by Ludwig Goransson’s absolutely kick-ass score. And this is just one of many incredible scenes.

But here’s the problem: Roughly 60% of the film’s dialogue is near inaudible. The sound design is appalling. Many scenes involve characters talking into oxygen masks, but even the ones that don’t are drowned by obnoxiously loud gunfire or the score. There’s one scene involving a sailboat that is a giant blur of straight-up noise. I think the film’s sound is the major reason I had a difficult time understanding the plot, although I still feel clueless after reading a few synopses and watching a few “Tenet explained” videos on YouTube.

I thus recommend everyone takes my approach with this film. Go see Tenet on the biggest screen possible and let the experience wow you. Enjoy yourself and don’t worry about the plot. “Don’t try to understand it. Feel it.” Then either rent it or buy it when it comes out on VOD or home media and turn on subtitles. That’s my plan because I simply have no desire to see this in theaters again, unless I end up going with someone who hasn’t seen it yet. I find this sad because I wonder if Tenet would have attracted more repeat viewers if it had managed to be somewhat coherent for audiences.

Despite its flaws, I still feel the need to keep in mind the significant burden unfairly placed on Tenet. Also, there is simply no working filmmaker today that can make a film like Nolan can. Each one is an event that attracts thousands upon thousands to the theater. In a normal year, I’m confident Tenet would have made its current revenue, if not more, in just its first weekend.

Tenet is just as fun as any of his blockbusters and probably has a lot to say underneath all the dazzle. The “language barrier” is just too significant to overcome without subtitles. I’m not trying to cop out of a better review. Nolan’s just one of those filmmakers where any honest attempt at a full analysis after a first watch, even with solid sound design, would end up a long inaccurate plot summary or a bunch of misguided babble. That’s not how I review movies. Nolan’s earned at least a second watch here, and I’m going to give it to him.

Overall, 4.5 out of 5 stars for Tenet. That extra 0.5 is probably generous, but I’m hoping Nolan delivers when I return to this.

My Full Christopher Nolan Rankings

I don’t consider any of these films "bad" by any stretch. I gave the lowest 3.5 out of 5 stars on Letterboxd.

11. The Dark Knight Rises. Wraps up the Batman trilogy nicely with some intense set pieces but lacks the finesse of the original two.

10. Following. Nolan’s debut is a snappy, taut thriller full of twists and turns.

9. Batman Begins. Introduces audiences to Nolan’s interpretation of Batman and establishes the playful yet extremely dark tone of the series.

8. Insomnia. Unusual for Nolan, this police procedural/mystery effectively uses its setting to set up a memorable cat-and-mouse game between Al Pacino and Robin Williams.

7. Tenet. Probably Nolan’s most inventive and mind-boggling film to date with incredible action sequences, cinematography, and music.

6. The Prestige. A drama about two obscenely competitive magicians is Nolan’s most shocking project to date that is a magic trick in-and-of itself.

5. Inception. Nolan’s first high-concept blockbuster boasted some incredible visuals and made us all wish we could navigate dreams like his characters do.

4. Interstellar. Although its main message is sort of cheesy, this is easily Nolan’s most moving film to date that reminds us to make the best of the moments, and planet, that we have.

3. Dunkirk. A masterpiece of a war movie that makes the most of its subject through unique storytelling and practical effects.

2. Memento. Nolan’s official breakout piece that puts the audience in the protagonist’s shoes unlike any other film before it.

1. The Dark Knight. Incredible action sequences, dueling theologies, an iconic score, an excellent ensemble cast, and the best supporting performance of the past 20 years. Irresistible, explosive fun.

You can find more of my work on Letterboxd @Aaron DeLoria, Twitter @deloriafilm, or on my blog The DeLoria Project. I follow back!

Also, support movie theaters! Check out CinemaSafe to learn how movie theaters are keeping audiences safe amidst the pandemic.

John David Washington in "Tenet." P/C Warner Bros. Pictures.

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About the Creator

Aaron DeLoria

Film junkie and screenwriter from Upstate New York.

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