I don't have anything against Nolan but as you asked for a debate and seem to have an completely blind love for him.....
Fractured narratives? Memento is only one that springs to mind, at least to the point were it becomes more than for narrative coherence and a distinct personal input. Have you read the short story Memento was based on? I imagine it must've had the fractured narrative to intice its adaption. The expressionist visuals are part of the noir genre in which all three films are debatedly part of, making him more a director than autuer, adhering to conventions instead of subverting them at his perogative. Even more so in Batman where the Miller's Dark Knight was an obvious influence which used the features you've suggested make Nolan an auteur. The conflicted protagonists are also all from other sources hence not a part of Nolan's style. As far as your points go, the only autuer trademark is common features in the sources he adapts. Admitedly i haven't seen the original Insomnia or read the short story Memento is based on so a lot is presumed. I also don't know if Nolan was the hired to directed or did so indepently, though i think most are the former suggesting it's not even Nolan's direct choice to adapt them.
My post gets a bit wishy washy towards end so take it more as context than my argument.
A very minor point for him as auteur that i can't argue with because i can't think of it happening. Not as distinctive as Tarantino's 'boot shot' though.
A LOT of that is script not Nolan! You've found recurring traits and credited Nolan with them. You'd be better calling his brother, Jonathon, an auteur; he's written Memento and The Prestige, Christophers two most original films, considering the majority of his trademarks are script according to you.
Oh. Noticed something else on IMDB, The Prestige was originally A NOVEL. Stick that in you pipe and smoke it
Personally, i think an auteur needs to ideally be independent so you can remove studio interference from the final product. Nolan's films do not scream a distinct style, he's talented and good at what he does but hasn't developed a style, sure there's some similar themes and the odd trademark shot but it doesn't make him an auteur.
I hope in your next post you can address these points.
I'm gonna take time out here to respond to you and others who say that Christopher Nolan isn't auteristic enough to be considered an autueur. You guys say that you can't see anything within his films that says 'Nolan did this'. Well, I will give you guys some help then, won't I?
Wanna know a Christopher Nolan auteur trademark? How about the fact that 80% of his films (including his student shorts) have fractured narratives. His films feature convoluted narratives where his protagonist(s) often blur the line between good and evil, but ultimately, it is left for us, the spectator to choose. He also is able to produce certain sequences that have a expressionist visual style, (Memento, Insomnia and yes, even Batman Begins.
Wanna know a Christopher Nolan auteur trademark? How about the fact that 80% of his films (including his student shorts) have fractured narratives. His films feature convoluted narratives where his protagonist(s) often blur the line between good and evil, but ultimately, it is left for us, the spectator to choose. He also is able to produce certain sequences that have a expressionist visual style, (Memento, Insomnia and yes, even Batman Begins.
My post gets a bit wishy washy towards end so take it more as context than my argument.
Most of his films will also introduce his protagonist or another character with an extreme close up of their hands doing something specific. Again, another trademark of an artist currently known as Christopher freakin' Nolan.
Shall I go on? Oh yes, you betcha I will. Nolan's protagonists usually suffer from something a specific handicap whether it's psychological or physical. For some classic examples, Leonard's Shelby's memory predicaments, Bruce Wayne's fear and Borden & Angier's obession.
But that's not it folks, oh no. Nolan often acknowledges that his protagonists handicaps are both a curse AND an advantage. For another extraodanairy example; SPOILERS AHEAD: Leonard Shelby is able to connect with his future self due to his short term memory problem, thus enabling him to manipulate himself into doing deeds he might not have done if he had a normal functional memory. Bruce Wayne uses his fear of bats as a symbol and ultimately his power.
Thank you guys for having played a part. Hope that explains everything.
But that's not it folks, oh no. Nolan often acknowledges that his protagonists handicaps are both a curse AND an advantage. For another extraodanairy example; SPOILERS AHEAD: Leonard Shelby is able to connect with his future self due to his short term memory problem, thus enabling him to manipulate himself into doing deeds he might not have done if he had a normal functional memory. Bruce Wayne uses his fear of bats as a symbol and ultimately his power.
Thank you guys for having played a part. Hope that explains everything.
Oh. Noticed something else on IMDB, The Prestige was originally A NOVEL. Stick that in you pipe and smoke it
Personally, i think an auteur needs to ideally be independent so you can remove studio interference from the final product. Nolan's films do not scream a distinct style, he's talented and good at what he does but hasn't developed a style, sure there's some similar themes and the odd trademark shot but it doesn't make him an auteur.
I hope in your next post you can address these points.
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