Ellen’s TDK Review

5th September 2008

Here is (new BRWC member) Ellen’s take on The Dark Knight.

After the disappointment of recent summer blockbusters (The Incredible Hulk ? The Happening ?) a large amount of cinematic expectation was being pinned on Mr Christopher Nolan to a) not have a difficult second film and b) not let us fall deeper into despair and disappointment. Fortunately he has listened to our prayers and made a rather brilliant film.
His determination to combine what could essentially be a action blockbuster franchise into a characterisation study on the darker side of morality and human behaviour makes this a brave and continually engaging movie.

But to the plot, when we last saw Batman he was a lone wolf, with no mansion and no Katie Holmes, however in The Dark Knight we see he has decided to share some of the responsibility of cleaning up Gotham now being aided by two more purveyors of justice: James Gordon (Gary Oldman taking on a more central role) and Gotham’s new DA and “White Knight”Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart.)

After getting over some initial distrust they join forces to put the money laundering mafia of Gotham behind bars, and tackle the mysterious and dangerous bank robber known only as the joker. Nolan’s focus is not continually aimed at Batman (the origins and establishing of his character being laid out in the first film), but more about what his behaviour inspires and who carries on his vigilante behaviour during the light of day. This character is represented by Dent (Eckhart finally showing that he can be more then the romantic interest in lighthearted comedies) who uses a more practical manner of justice to fight corruption as well as dating Wayne’s childhood sweetheart Rachel Dawes (Gyllenhal). The Joker’s makes it his objective to unmask Batman and turn the daytime Batman of sorts Dent from a hero into a fallen Villain, in a pretentious manner his character is reminiscent of Iago in Othello, his determination to kill and subvert the course of Justice in Gotham is motivated by nothing other then wanting to push people to the edge of insanity. This is highlighted by Nolan’s refusal to lay down the truth behind the jokers behaviour.

This ultimately makes Ledger’s portrayal even more chilling, because there is no skewed upbringing to pin the blame on, he is simply a puppeteer intend on destruction. Nolan still focuses on the practicalities of Batman day to day actions and behaviour, with Morgan Freeman’s never ending supply of army goodies as part explanation for how a normal man can soar with a cape or even kidnap a mafia accountant from a heavily guarded high rise building using a flashing balloon. This keeps him fallible and the plot grounded. Nolan wants us to believe in Bruce Wayne, humanising him with his almost comical conversations with Alfred, and his tumultuous relationship with Rachel Dawes, whose character sadly is not fleshed out enough for Maggie Gyllenhall’s usual quirky fare to be as effective as normal.

The villains are numerous showcasing moral corruption within the government itself, although the stand out villain is the joker, the mob and its co conspirators mean the message of decaying values is evident, however a slightly unrealistic action sequence at the end show cases that there is still hope.The action sequences are of course ultimately impressive with several set sequences involving hospital explosions and car chases satisfying the Dionysian impulse in us, but ultimately it is the relationship between Batman and the other major characters which keeps us engaged.

The film’s bravery lies in its explicit darkness as it portrays Dent’s fall into despair, the visual horribleness towards the end being rather disturbing. Nolan’s determination to combine what could essentially be a action blockbuster franchise into a characterisation study on the darker side of morality and human behaviour makes this a interesting and engaging film which makes brave decisions, but has enough popcorn action fare.

Welcome to BRWC Ellen.

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