With Christopher Nolan‘s "Interstellar" now in cinemas, it has prompted many to look back and assess (or re-assess) the director’s body of work so far (check out our ranking of his films right here). And while critics and audiences have had their say, there hasn’t been much word from others touched by Nolan’s moviemaking, but in what is sure to spur talk all over again, "The Prestige" author Christopher Priest has candidly weighed in on Nolan’s filmography in a recent chat with Skript.
Priest discusses the genesis of Nolan’s adaptation of his book, noting that Sam Mendes, coming off "American Beauty," had circled it first, but that the author believed instead in supporting rising talent. And his gamble paid off, with the author declaring "The Prestige," along with "Memento," as Nolan’s finest films. But when it gets to the Batman movies, Priest doesn’t hold back.
"It’s a wrong move to take a superhero and give it psychological realism. There is no psychological realism. He’s a bodybuilder who jumps off buildings," Priest says.
Part of the the writer’s "proof" comes from his anecdotal evidence watching the Batman films with audiences, who seem more interested in their phones or talking than with watching the movie. Of course, that could apply to many cinema-going audiences watching any movie these days. Priest also states that his kids find "The Dark Knight" films "pretentious" and "boring," and prefer the thrills of "The Avengers." And he finds it all to be a real miscalculation on the part of Nolan to embrace large scale filmmaking.
"It’s a real major lack of judgement in Nolan to go for superhero films. I feel it very strongly," Priest said. "What he’s trying to be is a kind of modern Kubrick, and I think he’d be better off being a modern Hitchcock. A maker of well made films like ‘Memento and ‘The Prestige.’ These blockbusters are just embarrassing I think."
As for "Interstellar"? Priest hasn’t seen it yet.
But what do you think? Is he being too harsh or is he spot-on in his feelings on Nolan. Check out the interview with Priest and let us know below.