Listen to me when I say that love isn’t something we invented. It’s observable, powerful, and it has to mean something. – Dr Brand’s dialogue from the movie Interstellar.
Christopher Nolan’s science fiction epic, Interstellar, has sparked numerous discussions since its release. It’s been a decade for a story that deals with complex science, this isn’t surprising. However, aside from the usual topics like plot explanations, scientific accuracy, technology, artificial intelligence, comparisons with Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, and the Dust Bowl era.
The Controversial Concept of Love in Interstellar
One significant moment often gets overlooked: Brand’s assertion that love might be more real and powerful than previously thought. Brand suggests that love could be evidence of a higher dimension that we can’t consciously perceive. She argues that love is the one thing we can perceive that transcends dimensions of time and space. This scene often gets overlooked, perhaps due to slightly awkward writing or our reluctance to explore sincere statements about intimate subjects. But it does makes you to think the concept of love and what is truly means in the world of science. Maybe we don’t know what that is because we believe it to a spiritual experience. But what if there’s something beyond our understand that structure’s its existence. Aaron Stewart-Ahn, in his fantastic article on Interstellar, questions if we have become more terrified of intimacy than interstellar travel.
Nolan’s View on Time and Love
Our goal is to explore how Nolan connects time and love in Interstellar. While the science has been extensively covered, I’ll stick to the basics necessary to understand the film’s world. Nolan collaborated with theoretical physicist Kip Thorne to base the film on actual science, discussing concepts like wormholes and black holes. But for this discussion, we’ll focus on time.
Understanding Time in Interstellar
Time is a concept everyone knows intimately until they are asked to explain it. Thanks to Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, we know that time and space are connected, establishing our universe in four dimensions, or space-time. Our experience of the past, present, and future could merely be just an illusion. May there isn’t a sequence to this past, present, and future, what if time exists all at once. Unlike spatial dimensions, we seem imprisoned by time, always moving forward from what we see as the past toward the future. This linearity is called the arrow of time, likely existing due to entropy, the movement from order to disorder set in motion by the Big Bang.
Time isn’t experienced the same by everyone and is influenced by gravity, making time go slower for those closer to a strong gravitational force. This concept is confirmed by highly accurate atomic clocks. For example, a clock placed higher, further from Earth’s gravity, moves slightly faster. The difference is minute but becomes significant near a black hole with immense gravity.
Time Dilation in Interstellar
This known science establishes the rules of time for Interstellar. Nolan incorporates this knowledge creatively, not just for the characters but also for the audience. In Inception, the dream world mirrors the filmmaking process, with roles resembling a director, producer, production designer, actor, and studio working together to impact the audience’s lives. Similarly, in Interstellar, Nolan makes a statement about the experience and manipulation of time in film and real life. The scene where Cooper get’s to see the video footages of his daughter and son, and how they have moved on with their lives and lost hope about their father. Whereas Cooper is alive and for him it’s just been few months, and this immense time dilation has made him realize the hard reality of interstellar travel, and how the purpose of the mission can derail. This internal battle to see the loved ones losing hopes, and you can witness it with your eyes is no less than a horror sight.
Linear and Non-Linear Storytelling
The first act of Interstellar is relatively linear compared to Nolan’s other films. Time is compressed but experienced linearly by the viewer. The story unfolds for us as it does for the characters, with traditional editing techniques showing the passage of time. However, once we enter the wormhole and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is introduced, time becomes distorted for both the characters and the audience. The film breaks our linear experience by cross-cutting scenes and jumping back and forth in time while adhering to the established rules of time. This is similar to what we or any person would experience. We perceive time as we experience it, we understand what happened to us. In this quest and our journey, we just can’t comprehend what happens to the ones we love, and how they felt or what happened to them meanwhile. This Time dilation introduces the horror of time passage on a whole new level. On one side a person might feel the time paradox, but on the other side, the experience of time was just like a normal day of their lives.
The Real Experience of Time
Nolan grounds his films in reality by using familiar elements to make science fiction concepts relatable. In Inception, he uses universally experienced elements like the kick and the idea that dreams feel real while we’re in them. In Interstellar, he draws on our universal experience of being imprisoned by time, symbolized by the clock-shaped Endurance and Hans Zimmer‘s score, which becomes a ticking clock during high-tension scenes.
The Devastating Passage of Time
One of the film’s most devastating scenes is when Cooper and Brand return from Miller’s planet to find that 23 years have passed in the mere hours they were gone. In what feels like the blink of an eye, Cooper’s children have aged decades. The future they hoped to be part of is now a series of memories. This moment resonates deeply because we experience this dilation of time and subsequent feeling of loss in our lives.
In our daily struggle against time, we often get caught up in short-term goals and immediate gratification. However, Interstellar challenges us to think beyond our lifetimes. It encourages us to invest in actions that will benefit future generations, whether through environmental conservation, technological innovation, or fostering a culture of empathy and cooperation.
Our Struggle Against Time
We often reconnect with old friends or family, revisit places where we once lived, or return from long trips only to find things have changed or we have changed. This is not due to changes in space but the relentless passage of time. Interstellar takes this harsh reality to the extreme through the science of gravitational time dilation, yet it shows us something essential about our experience of time.
In our everyday lives, time also feels relative. A joyful moment with loved ones might fly by, while waiting in a hospital can feel like an eternity. This perception impacts our emotional and mental well-being, reminding us of the importance of cherishing moments and prioritizing what truly matters. In our struggle against time, we are constantly reminded of our mortality. We see our parents age, our children grow, and our own bodies change. This can be a source of anxiety, but it also motivates us to make the most of our time, to leave a legacy, and to ensure our actions have a positive impact.
Transcending Time Through Memory
This cinematic portrayal mirrors our real-life experiences. Memories allow us to revisit moments long past, keeping loved ones close and important experiences vivid in our minds. Just as Cooper recalls moments with his daughter to fuel his determination, we too rely on our memories to give us strength and purpose. These memories anchor us, providing continuity and a sense of identity despite the relentless forward march of time.
Furthermore, Interstellar delves into the idea that our actions and the memories we leave behind can ripple through time, affecting future generations. Cooper’s decision to leave Earth is driven by the hope that his actions will ensure a better future for his children. Similarly, in our lives, the memories we create and the legacies we leave behind can inspire and guide those who come after us, offering a form of immortality through the lasting impact of our lives.
Although we cannot escape time, we can transcend it through documenting language and images. Books, photographs, audio recordings, music, and film allow us to revisit the past and develop a sense of cultural history. Interstellar takes this to the extreme with the Bulk beings, who have complete access to time but struggle to pinpoint specific moments. The tesseract allows them to create a connection, transcending time.
Ultimately, Interstellar beautifully illustrates that while time may be an unstoppable force, the memories and connections we forge can transcend its boundaries. These intangible elements of our human experience enable us to defy the limits of time, preserving the essence of who we are and what we value most. Through memory, we achieve a timeless connection to our past, present, and future, much like the enduring love between Cooper and Murph that anchors the narrative of Interstellar.
Love as a Quantifiable Force
In the tesseract, Cooper realizes it’s not his love for Murph but her love for him that creates the bridge. This connection, determined by love, allows him to code the data into the watch he gave her. Like in the 1962 French film La Jetée, which inspired Interstellar, love is used as a quantifiable force to navigate time.
Moreover, Interstellar proposes that love’s influence extends beyond personal relationships to encompass a broader, almost cosmic significance. Dr. Brand’s theory implies that love could be a universal constant, a fundamental aspect of reality that binds us to one another and to our future. This idea challenges viewers to reconsider the nature of love, not as a mere sentiment but as a force with tangible effects on the world around us.
This narrative thread reflects our real-world understanding of love as a powerful motivator and connector. Love drives people to overcome obstacles, make sacrifices, and achieve extraordinary feats. It fosters resilience and provides a sense of purpose, anchoring individuals in times of uncertainty and hardship. The film suggests that love is a fundamental element of the human experience, influencing our decisions and shaping our destinies in profound ways.
The Poetic Struggle Against Time
Interstellar shows that love is inexplicably tied to our experience of time, not just sentimentally but in the deep sense of grief and loss. Against this sorrow, the film offers not science but poetry. Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do not go gentle into that good night” becomes a rallying cry against time’s relentless march. Professor Brand’s fear of time, not death, underscores the film’s central theme.
One of the most striking aspects of Interstellar is its portrayal of time as both a relentless adversary and a profound mystery. The characters grapple with the effects of time dilation, where hours on one planet equate to years on Earth. This phenomenon underscores the preciousness of time and the heart-wrenching consequences of its passage. Cooper’s journey, which leads to decades passing on Earth while he ages only a few years, serves as a powerful metaphor for the ways in which time can separate us from our loved ones and alter the course of our lives. This relentless march of time creates a sense of urgency and poignancy that permeates the film.
In essence, Interstellar portrays the struggle against time as a fundamental aspect of the human condition. It challenges us to reflect on how we use our time, the importance of our relationships, and the ways in which our actions ripple through time. The film’s poetic treatment of time invites viewers to embrace the present while acknowledging the profound impact of the past and the potential of the future.
Committing to Memory
Interstellar emphasizes the importance of documenting our lives to push the boundaries of time. By committing to memory and pushing the temporal frontier, we honor our experiences and those we love. This commitment allows us to transcend the limitations of time, even as we remain bound by its arrow.
The Beauty and Grandeur of Space in Interstellar
For space lovers, Interstellar is more than just a movie; it is a journey through the mysteries of the universe. It highlights the sheer scale and complexity of space, prompting a sense of wonder and curiosity about what lies beyond our own galaxy. The film’s narrative explores humanity’s relentless quest for survival and discovery, emphasizing the idea that our destiny might lie among the stars. The emotional weight of the story, combined with its scientific depth, creates a powerful experience that resonates with anyone fascinated by the infinite possibilities of space exploration.
The film delves deeply into complex astrophysical concepts, such as time dilation, black holes, and the theory of relativity, making it a rich experience for space enthusiasts. The narrative weaves these intricate scientific ideas into a compelling story, demonstrating the profound impact of space travel on human life and our understanding of the cosmos. By incorporating real scientific theories, Interstellar educates viewers while captivating them with its awe-inspiring depiction of space, showcasing the vastness and mystery that lies beyond our planet. The collaboration with physicist Kip Thorne ensured that the film’s portrayal of black holes and wormholes was grounded in real scientific principles, adding an extra layer of authenticity and intrigue for those interested in astrophysics.
The movie also addresses the emotional and philosophical aspects of space travel, such as the passage of time and the isolation experienced by astronauts. These elements add depth to the scientific concepts, making them more relatable and poignant. The portrayal of space as a place of both incredible beauty and daunting challenges reinforces the notion that exploring the cosmos is one of humanity’s greatest endeavors. Interstellar stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring nature of space, capturing its majesty and its mysteries in a way that few other films have achieved.
Conclusion: Why Interstellar is the Greatest Movie of All Time
Interstellar is more than a science fiction film; it’s a profound exploration of time, love, and the human experience. Nolan’s masterful storytelling, grounded in scientific reality and universal experiences, creates a deeply moving and thought-provoking narrative. The film challenges us to consider our relationship with time and the power of love to transcend it. This exploration of complex themes, combined with stunning visuals and a haunting score, makes Interstellar the greatest movie of all time.
