Week 39 – The Dark Knight (2008)

• The Dark Knight
• Released: 7/18/2008
• Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• IMDB Page

Welcome to another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! This week’s film was chosen by cousin, Samuel. Samuel is Mark and Sally’s third son, and Drew and Kevin’s younger brother (there is one more coming up in a few weeks). Samuel is currently a student studying history at Grove City College, and lives in Grove City, PA.

(Most of) the cousins at Christmas a few years ago. Me, Mamie, Samuel, Max (coming in a few weeks), Ramsey and Kevin.

Samuel told me that he considers himself to be a fan of film, but not a huge one. Still, he said that he loves watching them and discussing them. In many ways, Samuel said that he usually prefers books, because they are able to get deeper into intellectual territory. However, he added, there are times when a film is the right medium for a story and is perfect for reaching the emotional depth required from a story.

Like his brothers, Samuel told me that he grew up loving The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars films. He said that some of his favorite childhood memories involve our family’s “annual Christmas pilgrimages” when we would all shuttle off to the theater to see the latest Lord of the Rings film, which would precede many hours of playing as the characters in our grandparents’ yard. Samuel did note, however, that he was always forced to play as Boromir, despite the fact that (spoiler alert) he died in the first film. Sorry about that, buddy. He said that these films and experiences had a lasting impact on him. Although he no longer plays with a stick in his hand, he still feels the investment in the characters and story. He said that he thinks that these experiences are part of what molded his love of studying history.

Samuel said that he doesn’t get to watch as many movies as he’d like to these days. When he does find time to watch a film, he prefers to sit down to something relaxing that can transport him into another world. He said that, for him, this usually means fast-paced films that keep the action moving. He does, however, enjoy slower paced films when he has the time for them, and likes to branch out further away from the big Hollywood blockbusters from time to time.

Samuel told me that he really enjoys directors who consistently churn out great work, without sacrificing the story or characters for style. He said that Christopher Nolan is definitely one of his favorites, and that he has yet to direct a film that he didn’t enjoy. He also named Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Francis Ford Cappolla as directors that he has consistently enjoyed. Additionally, Samuel said that he is a big fan of film scores, and thus often pays close attention to composers in films. He said that Hans Zimmer is his absolute favorite, but named Howard Shore, John Williams, James Horner and Ramin Djawadi as others that he loves. He said that he doesn’t necessarily have any ‘favorite’ actors, but said that he really appreciates any actor who does their job well and who can transform into a variety of characters.

When I asked Samuel whether there were any other films he considered for this project, he said that he very nearly chose Warrior, which he called a “fantastic movie about motivation, loyalty and family.” He said that he also considered Disconnect. He said that it is not an easy film to watch, but that it does a great job of capturing modern tragedy. He added that the performances, story and themes all combine to create a really remarkable film experience.

Samuel told me that he ultimately chose The Dark Knight for a multitude of reasons. He said that it may not be the best film he has ever seen, but that it ranks among them. He said that it is the kind of movie that he can just watch over and over again and still enjoy. He also said that he loved the world that Nolan created in the film, and the way he allowed the story to unfold. He crafted “complex characters” and was able to rise above the superhero genre.

Samuel added that the performances in the film are terrific. Obviously, he said that Heath Ledger’s performance was phenomenal, but he also loved the performances from Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. Although he doesn’t feel Hans Zimmer does his finest work on this film, he did really enjoy the score and appreciates what it added to the film.

He also said that he loved the clear themes presented in the film. There are multiple scenes that discuss the effect that a small number of people can have on a city (or state or country or so on). There is so much said about the “soul of Gotham” and how it will be won or lost by the actions of a few people. This is reflected in the scenes on the ferries, but also in smaller scenes, such as the more intimate standoff between Batman, Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon. Samuel said that he loves how the film can be viewed as a commentary on society as a whole, and that the way that plays out truly makes this more than just a superhero movie.

I was actually a little surprised when Samuel told me that he was choosing The Dark Knight for this project. Not because it isn’t a great film, but just because it didn’t seem like the kind of film that he would pick to me. But after hearing his explanations, it definitely makes sense. This is especially true after hearing him talk about how the film is a commentary on society, and how the actions of a few can impact the whole. Pretty interesting stuff. Also, I think it’s funny that this was the second Christopher Nolan film in just a few weeks, and they were both from my cousins.

I had seen The Dark Knight before, but I believe I had only seen it once and it was soon after it was released. The only thing that really stuck with me from that viewing was Heath Ledger’s incredible performance. Oh, and Christian Bale’s ridiculous Batman voice.

It’s really tragic how things turned out for Heath Ledger after this film, but what he was able to turn this role into is really something incredible. He won a posthumous Academy Award. For a superhero movie. That just doesn’t happen.

Other than the silly voice, Christian Bale did do a great job as well, and the rest of the cast was really stellar as well, but it will always be Heath Ledger’s film.

I do really like how Nolan was able to take the superhero genre and turn it into a serious film. Over the past decade or two we have seen so many different approaches to the genre, and this trilogy is one of the only ones that takes an established, world-known hero and puts him into a film that really feels like it has something to say. It also says something about this film that it is the second in a trilogy and it is by far the most well-known of the three.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed revisiting this film, and it makes me want to watch the rest of the trilogy, as well. I’ve actually never seen Batman Begins all the way through, so maybe now is a good time.

That’s it for this week! Thanks so much for joining me! Please comment, follow, like, etc. below! See you next week!

Next: The Muppet Christmas Carol