Christopher Nolan Names the Main Problem with Modern Film Critics

Christopher Nolan, the director of “The Odyssey,” has pinpointed what he considers a “fundamental flaw” inherent in amateur film criticism.

During an interview with Chinese journalist Zhong Shu, the filmmaker expressed his frustration with a common misunderstanding regarding how narrative mechanics function.

“A recurring critique directed at films is the idea that ‘a character should be likable, so the audience is being manipulated’ or that the character is being altered to fit a narrative. In my view, this represents a fundamental misunderstanding of film criticism or the craft of storytelling. Simply identifying a narrative device does not inherently diminish its efficacy. I’m referring specifically to amateur criticism, where there is this pervasive feeling that by exposing a mechanism, one somehow invalidates it. While this might hold true for certain cinematic tropes or elements of visual language that have grown stale and require reinvention, we as filmmakers rely on a shared vocabulary. We build upon the audience’s deep understanding of this language, honed by years of watching films,”

— Nolan explained. His adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey” debuted in mid-July and has already grossed over $900 million globally, with projections suggesting a final box office haul between $1.4 and $1.5 billion.

Source: Film.ru