Dunkirk

“Dunkirk” is a film written and directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Kenneth Branaugh and Tom Hardy and a cast of thousands, or hundreds, depending on how much you take into account the Computer Generated Imagery's special effects. As most WWII buffs know, and certainly all Britishers, “Dunkirk” is the story of how scores of private British small boat owners  traveled across the English Channel to rescue many of the British and French soldiers who  were left stranded on this infamous  French beach. This is indeed one of the most inspiring stories to come out of the war and yet, to my disappointment, the film manifests no heart or soul. Although there are plenty of dogfights in the air and strafings on the ground, the film dedicates most of its footage to one particular boat owner and three Spitfire pilots with confusing battle scenes filling the rest of the screen. Instead of the epic and awesome story that it attempts to convey, it is grossly lacking in depth and  although Mr. Nolan receives a credit as the writer, there are probably more words written in this review than spoken in the entire film. Perhaps, by anticipating that the film would live up to the great story it tries to tell, my unrealized expectations created the letdown I felt after I left the theater. I give this film 2 stars and suggest that a better writer and director could have gotten to the truly great story that Mr. Nolan unfortunately left stranded somewhere on the French shore.

Baby Driver

“Baby Driver” is the brainchild of writer/director Edgar Wright who brings us this action packed adventure involving bank heists and getaway chases that would make the producers of “Bullitt” and “The French Connection” gasp in awe. The film stars Ansel Elgort In the title role as the young man forced to drive getaway cars for a group consisting of characters played by Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm, Eliza Gonzalez, Lily James and James Foxx. Fast paced with the director’s foot constantly on the pedal, the film has a few dramatic moments and a simple story but, more than anything, the real star or stars (depending on what car is being used) are the vehicles speeding across the screen. Mr. Elgort is wonderfully cast as the main character of the film and draws the audience into his plight and circumstance with easy identification. Mr. Hamm, alas, is apparently faced with the George/Jason Alexander syndrome for he is not really believable as a punk hold up guy and seems better suited to be behind the desk in an office on the Mad Men set. I give the film 3 stars because, more than anything, it is an easy and enjoyable theatrical experience.