I Just Watched Interstellar For The First Time. Why I’m Glad I Waited On The Christopher Nolan Movie Until I Had Kids

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It’s amazing how there can be unexpected blind spots in our movie knowledge. I was taken aback to discover that Eric Eisenberg, my coworker who consistently watches more than 100 films annually since we first met, hadn’t caught “Gladiator” – a film that was both a box office success and an Academy Award winner for Best Picture. It’s even more perplexing because Eric is such a movie enthusiast. And here I am, who’s compiled TopMob’s best sci-fi movies list, without having watched “Interstellar”. Quite ironic, isn’t it?

Up until recently, that situation held true for me. To give credit where it’s due, I believed I had grasped the essentials of the topic after a decade. I was aware of the general narrative (which I’ll expand on later) and understood that the ending of “Interstellar” sparked much debate, although I wasn’t familiar with the specifics. What else was there to learn? As it happened, I seized the chance when I discovered “Interstellar” had become accessible through my Netflix subscription, and I decided to watch it. I couldn’t be happier that I delayed viewing it for a decade.

I Would Have Liked Interstellar In 2014, But For Very Different Reasons

I recently looked back at my own history to understand why I hadn’t watched a sci-fi film by Christopher Nolan before, something that would have definitely drawn me to the cinema a decade ago. Interestingly enough, the movie premiered around the same time I lost my job in my old profession, so my attention probably wasn’t on whatever was new at the box office back then.

I’m confident that I would have thoroughly enjoyed “Interstellar” if I had watched it when it premiered in October 2014. In fact, I might have even fallen in love with it. Movies that delve deeply into science, combine drama, and explore themes such as the essence of time or reality are right up my alley. I gobbled it up back then, and I still can’t get enough today.

I wouldn’t have connected with Interstellar as deeply as I do now, having seen it back then. The heart of the film lies in the bond between a father and his daughter, and since I didn’t have children in 2014 but do now, I can truly relate to it.

Interstellar View Of Time Is Something I’ve Come To Understand

I didn’t find it hard to empathize with the characters of Interstellar even without children, and I’m not suggesting that being childless means you can’t appreciate the film. But I must admit, my connection with the movie is stronger now than it would have been in the past.

Interstellar” isn’t solely focused on the bond between a father and daughter; it delves deeper into their emotional connection. You don’t necessarily need to be a parent to relate, only someone who has deeply cherished a parental figure. The movie goes beyond this, exploring themes that extend beyond familial love.

Similar to many films by Christopher Nolan, the concept of time is integral. Yet, it’s not merely about time flowing at varying paces on Earth or in outer space; it delves into how time stretches out over a more extended period for parents. This is because life doesn’t cease with us, but rather continues through our offspring.

In “Interstellar,” the narrative unfolds as two interwoven tales, initially focusing on a father and then shifting to his daughter. However, upon closer examination, it’s a single, continuous tale that commences with the father character and subsequently follows his daughter when he is no longer present.

It Turns Out I Had No Idea What Interstellar Was Actually About

It’s common knowledge that even if you haven’t watched a popular movie, you can likely provide a general summary of its plot because it’s often absorbed through pop culture. For instance, many people are aware that Rosebud is a sled from the film “Citizen Kane” without having seen the movie, and children who haven’t watched “Star Wars” may still know about Darth Vader’s connection to Luke Skywalker.

To be honest, I had thought I understood the storyline of “Interstellar”. I knew Matthew McConaughey portrayed a character named Coop on an intergalactic voyage. I was also aware that the idea of time dilation would factor in and influence his connection with his family. Furthermore, I’ve come across the meme featuring McConaughey crying, which is arguably the film’s most iconic scene.

In addition to what you’ve mentioned about Interstellar, it merely scratches the surface of the entire movie. There’s a significant portion of the storyline that I found even more engaging, perhaps even superior, which primarily unfolds on Earth. This is where the core of the plot lies and where we learn about humanity’s activities.

Jessica Chastain Plays The Character Interstellar Is Really All About

If I hadn’t known before that Jessica Chastain appeared in Interstellar, it’s something I had completely forgotten about. Therefore, it took me by surprise to recognize her as the grown-up version of Murph, the daughter character played by McConaughey. In fact, what really caught me off guard was when she became a central figure in the plot development.

In the movie Interstellar, there was a scene that almost made me tear up, similar to when Cooper received messages from home or when Timothee Chalamet found out his role was reduced in the film. However, it wasn’t that particular moment that moved me. Instead, it was later on when Cooper was struggling to find a way to send messages through time to his daughter. TARS questioned whether giving her the necessary information would be beneficial. Cooper was confident she would comprehend. He showed no signs of hesitation whatsoever.

Instead of transmitting advanced mathematical concepts over vast distances to my children, what I strive for as a father is to provide them with a solid foundation of knowledge so they can independently discover and solve problems on their own in the future.

In the concluding scene of Interstellar, Coop realizes his paternal aspirations. He gets a glimpse into his daughter’s life and is heartened to learn she found joy. While I don’t expect my children to physically rescue the world (given current trends, they might), I yearn for their happiness, and I hope I get to witness it in person.

Interstellar is an outstanding film, and I’m delighted I got to see it. If I were to watch it again after a decade, I don’t believe it would hold the same powerful impression as it does for me now, experiencing it for the first time. Some experiences are worth the wait.

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2025-01-09 04:37