It's fun when we agree, and even more fun when we disagree, for therein lies further thinking. I posted quickly on Inception, then thought later that my criticism would be in its need for editing. It was too long. I enjoyed the snow setting but that battle went on too long. I also wish we knew the source for other people's elements, besides Cobb's. For example, why did the architect put us in a snow setting?
Here's what I got from the film. First, fun entertainment. Just had a blast watching it. But I, too, must gain some lingering mental thread for a movie to be more worth it. I am a serious dreamer. I have long epics, in color, that stay with me for days, that I've gotten darn good at interpreting (thanks to Carl Jung), and two have stayed with me for years, influencing my life! I have lucid dreams, where I reach a point where I know I am dreaming and begin to control the dream. I have awakened from a dream which I was enjoying and deliberately returned to sleep and the dream. I have a certain recurring theme and setting in a dream that results in my bolting out of bed and doing something in response(generally when I am most stressed).
I've been thinking more about dreams since this film. What do I let in? What comes out? How can I use this?
Also, the power of thought and suggestion and letting the positive in. Also, the subtle, but deep and long-term effects we have on others' thinking. And where our guilt should take us in another's actions - the grave responsibility in manipulating others. And the major ramifications of the tiniest words between parent and child, husband and wife.
Like one mention in the dream, I have sometimes had a fleeting thought: what if it is in dreams where we are most"awake?"
One last thought: We already understand, I think, the profound power in planting the tiniest seed of thought in another, especially as teachers. Frankly, I would have been more fascinated to turn the plot in the direction of Cobb's actual job of EXTRACTING another's dreams or thoughts. A far more frightening concept. In other words, was it necessary for five people to go into complex dreams in order to plant a suggestion in the son's mind? The original Mission Impossible used to do it in daylight all the time!
O.K., enough for now. It's only 6:30 a.m.!
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I agree that when we disagree, we tend to dig more into the meaning of the film and probably do a better job as reviewers...and of course, we learn from each other, which is why this blog is so much fun. As usual, you have taught me well, teacher, and I am grateful.
ReplyDeleteFrom Post 2, I see that you wish the film were better edited. Me too. Some scenes just too long. You ask, why did the architect put us in a snow setting? Just one of fifty such questions I asked, and for which I had few answers...thus my frustration. You also ask if it was necessary for five people to go into complex dreams (and dream levels) in order to plant a dream? Another good, unanswered question.
Dream levels: Certainly we can play mightily withe the sympolism. Is this film striving to do what Dante did, and take us into the circles of hell? Are we even able to go that deep?
You wisely point out that PLANTING vs. EXTRACTING dreams requires a lot of thought. Can we really plant dreams in others? Maybe we do, as teachers we certainly did, as you said. I tried to give my little Mesa munchkins dreams of Paris and French culture. Indeed, every time we interact with another human being, we have the power of effecting that person, positively or negatively, and thus implanting a dream. So yes, we all plant dreams in each other.
Now stepping outside of the film and thinking of dreams is truly where you hit the nail on the head, in my mind. To be just to Inception, I must admit it's one of the few true treatments of dreams. SciFi and other genres do not get us thinking about dreams as much as this film. We need to go back oi the brainwashing concept of The Manchurian Candidate to really think of the power of dreams. So yes, the film is commendable for getting us to consider the world of dreams
As for that world, right on, film buddy. You wisely admit that dreams are such a formative part of our psyche. I have repetitive dreams that have been with me since I was a kid. You can take Freud, Jung, and every psychotherapist in the world, and you can never learn enough about this bizarre power of the human mind.
In our dreams, we explore fears, tensions, love, hate, passion...nearly the entire spectrum of our emotions. Dreams deal us funny scenarios that we cannot fathom. How many times must I be unable to find a classroom on the first day of school with my kids waiting???!!!
So, yes indeed Valerie, the dream world fascinates. Thanks to Inception, we are all thinking about that world. Just wish the film itself had been more clear.
But are dreams ever clear? Back to you, Valerie, to teach me more!