Nolans latest film, the war movie Dunkirk, opened this weekend to rapturous reviews and a better-than-expected box office take of $50.5 million. The eagerness to see Dunkirk extended to Oscar voters, who packed the film academys 1,000-seat Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on Saturday night looking to see if the picture, presented in glorious 70mm, lived up to the hype.
Even considering that at this time of year academy members can bring up to three guests to screenings, the early evening line snaking blocks around the Goldwyn indicated a high level of anticipation. The turn-away crowd for the 7:30 p.m. show resulted in the academy adding a second presentation at 10 p.m.
When Dunkirk ended and the credits rolled, Nolans name elicited a roar of approval and the majority of the audience perhaps unaccustomed to a Nolan movie running under two hours stayed in their seats until the lights came up.
Afterward, academy members those able to articulate their thoughts after the grueling film expressed admiration, calling it a tour de force, gut-wrenching, astonishing, extraordinary and, yes, a masterpiece. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema (BAFTA-nominated for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Interstellar, but still looking for his first Oscar nod), composer Hans Zimmer and the films sound design team were singled out.