JCL666
absurdism
- Sep 23, 2011
- 2,190
Reading this Inceptions ending and creation (Wired UK)
Nolan does know, but has chosen to keep it ambiguous. Pretty cool IMO, especially if he never lets on.
He is an amazing director. Hasn't made a dud yet.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
Inception - The Spinning Top - Final scene
- Thread starter Uncle Spielberg
- Start date
Reading this Inceptions ending and creation (Wired UK)
Nolan does know, but has chosen to keep it ambiguous. Pretty cool IMO, especially if he never lets on.
He is an amazing director. Hasn't made a dud yet.
Uncle Spielberg
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #22
From Nolan.
The key points that Nolan puts across?
Firstly, that Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Cobb, is an "untrustworthy narrator". Most of us had worked that out, to be fair, but this comment was in specific relation to the sound of the top toppling at the end of the film. Thus, not a dream, surely? "This gives Cobb a base-line reality," notes Nolan.
On the spinning top at the end, it is still spinning when the film cuts to the credits. So, what should we read of the character of Cobb into that? "The prop guys just made a top that would spin for a long time," notes Nolan, but adds, "The important thing is that Cobb's not looking at the top. He doesn't care."
The key points that Nolan puts across?
Firstly, that Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Cobb, is an "untrustworthy narrator". Most of us had worked that out, to be fair, but this comment was in specific relation to the sound of the top toppling at the end of the film. Thus, not a dream, surely? "This gives Cobb a base-line reality," notes Nolan.
On the spinning top at the end, it is still spinning when the film cuts to the credits. So, what should we read of the character of Cobb into that? "The prop guys just made a top that would spin for a long time," notes Nolan, but adds, "The important thing is that Cobb's not looking at the top. He doesn't care."
Uncle Spielberg
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #23
So Cobb did not care whether the state he was in was reality or not. It is open ended as to whether it was reality or a dreamstate but as someone said before Cobb did not actually care anymore he was back with his kids.
Ninja Elephant
Doctor Elephant
- Feb 16, 2009
- 18,855
I saw Inception at the Imax in London, I was very sceptical at first whether it was worth it. Then I saw the film. Awesome.
The ending was met with a ripple of boos and applause at the Imax, which I thought was strange at the time, but I think it just shows how good the film was. And how moving. I like to think that he just didn't care if it was reality or not, that's the best outcome I think. And true to the story.
The ending was met with a ripple of boos and applause at the Imax, which I thought was strange at the time, but I think it just shows how good the film was. And how moving. I like to think that he just didn't care if it was reality or not, that's the best outcome I think. And true to the story.
GreersElbow
New member
One of the best soundtracks to a film. Hans Zimmer is amazing, his stuff for black hawk down and the last samurai was so good..
Papa Lazarou
Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
I would definitely agree that it's the act of walking off whilst the totem top is still spinning that is crucial to the ending. It signifies Cobb's abandonment of his checks and balances and he no longer cares if it's real or a dream any longer.
I would agree it's one of the best and most original movies of the last ten years, if not longer.
I would agree it's one of the best and most original movies of the last ten years, if not longer.
KJP
Well-known member
Looked to me like it was about to topple over as in the dream world it span perfectly.
I also agree its one of the best films in recent times, I'd put it my top 3 with saving private Ryan and shawshank redemption
I also agree its one of the best films in recent times, I'd put it my top 3 with saving private Ryan and shawshank redemption
This is how the script ends:
INT. KITCHEN, COBB AND MAL'S HOUSE - DAY
Cobb enters with Miles. Drops his bags. Moves to the table,
looking out at the overgrown garden. He reaches into his
pocket, takes out his pewter spinning top, lowers it to the
table and SPINS IT- a CHILD'S SHOUT makes him look upThrough the window, James and Philippa have run into view,
playing, THEIR FACES TURNED AWAY... Cobb STARES at the back
of his children's heads... Miles moves to the window and
KNOCKS on the glassJames and Philippa TURN- see their Dad. He steps to the
window, watching their BRIGHT FACES SHINING as they run
towards him...
Behind him, on the table, the spinning top is STILL SPINNING.
And we-
FADE OUT.
CREDITS.
END.
INT. KITCHEN, COBB AND MAL'S HOUSE - DAY
Cobb enters with Miles. Drops his bags. Moves to the table,
looking out at the overgrown garden. He reaches into his
pocket, takes out his pewter spinning top, lowers it to the
table and SPINS IT- a CHILD'S SHOUT makes him look upThrough the window, James and Philippa have run into view,
playing, THEIR FACES TURNED AWAY... Cobb STARES at the back
of his children's heads... Miles moves to the window and
KNOCKS on the glassJames and Philippa TURN- see their Dad. He steps to the
window, watching their BRIGHT FACES SHINING as they run
towards him...
Behind him, on the table, the spinning top is STILL SPINNING.
And we-
FADE OUT.
CREDITS.
END.
For me it does not really matter whether he is in a dream state or reality. I like an ambiguous ending as it leaves a lot up to your own intepretation. Too much modern cinema hands the whole thing to you on a plate, Inception definitely did not do that. Although I do not rate it as highly as many do, the fact that people are still debating it now shows that it is a great piece of cinema.
Ninja Elephant
Doctor Elephant
- Feb 16, 2009
- 18,855
Fantastic post.
I've seen Inception 3 times, and each time something becomes a bit clearer. Deffinitely the best original film of the last 10 years.
BadFish
Huge Member
- Oct 19, 2003
- 18,207
What is with all the Saving Private Ryan love in this thread. I think I must have missed a huge point in in. Don't get me wrong I thought it was good but not as good as is being made out.
I go with the idea that it didn't really matter because he was where he wanted to be.
I also though Shutter Island was excellent and would like to watch it again.
I go with the idea that it didn't really matter because he was where he wanted to be.
I also though Shutter Island was excellent and would like to watch it again.
Doc Lynam
I hate the Daily Mail
- Jun 19, 2011
- 7,347
It definitely stops spinning.......
To end a film with "it's all a dream" is terrible writing, I learnt that at school.
He throws it in there to create discussion and debate about the whole film which is ingenious in my opinion. A lot of "classic" movies use the same technique; Blade Runner is one example.
I just hope Nolan can deliver anything close to The Dark Knight with his next installment.
To end a film with "it's all a dream" is terrible writing, I learnt that at school.
He throws it in there to create discussion and debate about the whole film which is ingenious in my opinion. A lot of "classic" movies use the same technique; Blade Runner is one example.
I just hope Nolan can deliver anything close to The Dark Knight with his next installment.
johnny jigsaw
"My life's in pieces"
I watched it at the cinema but, ironically, fell asleep and missed a huge chunk, woke up and didn't have the faintest idea what was going on.
Brightonfan1983
Well-known member
Terrible film that made no sense. Utterly unoriginal, I did not care about any of the characters and not even saved by a huge special effects budget. Worst of all was the laziness of the plot devices- you wake up if you fall in a bath, time passes 1000 times faster in a dream in a dream in a dream and you somehow can't come back from a dream if certain things happen. Real emperor's new clothes.
I'm aware that most people love it. I think it is awful.
I'm aware that most people love it. I think it is awful.
matthew
Well-known member
Great film Leo DiCaprio is an unbelievable actor
Was not Was
Loitering with intent
- Jul 31, 2003
- 1,607
This infographic might help. And if it doesn't, then it's beautiful anyway:
http://inception-explained.com/
http://inception-explained.com/