The landscape of modern filmmaking may have shifted slightly with the resounding financial success of writer-director Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Inception. The film has proven that the big Hollywood blockbuster is capable of being defined, first and foremost, by the intelligence of its concept.

In getting this film financed and produced, Nolan was unquestionably in a powerful position of clout by which few other filmmakers ever find themselves. Riding a tsunami wave of commercial success from his 2008 film, The Dark Knight, Nolan took a concept that he had held close to his vest for nearly ten years, got one of the most respected, A-list actors of his generation in Leonardo DiCaprio committed to the project, and convinced a major Hollywood studio to pour millions into transforming his complex, high concept idea into a full-blown, summer event movie. The results are breathtaking and spectacular.

Inception a Story of Dreams, Thieves and Heartbreak

What dramatically distinguishes Inception, and a component critical to the emotional core of the film, is that there are two distinct storylines in the film that are perpetually intertwining and fueling the other.