3 minute read
Movie Review with Elizabeth Baird Hardy
The Big Picture Show:
Warm up Your Winter with Dune By Elizabeth Baird Hardy
In 1965, Frank Herbert’s Dune was first published after initially appearing as a serial. The award-winning novel and Herbert’s five sequels have spawned spin-off books, games, and a massive fan following, while also inspiring a complex history of film and television adaptations, sometimes confusing those who had not read the book and irritating those who had. The newest incarnation, Dune: Part One, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is a feast both for the senses and the mind, with something for both those well acquainted with Herbert’s book and for the novice as yet unfamiliar with the far-flung worlds and vast cast characters caught up in the spiritual and political intrigues surrounding the world of Arrakis and its precious resource of spice.
From its opening scenes, Dune is visually stunning, taking viewers to fictional, yet realistic locales, from the sparkling sands of Arrakis to the depths of space. The film incorporates Herbert’s descriptions, from costumes to the distinctive blue eyes of the Fremen, inhabitants of Arrakis who have been constantly exposed to Melange, the “spice” that makes their planet so valuable. Homages to the 1984 film adaptation are also included. Yet, the film truly possesses its own unique palette that uses light, color, and texture effectively to capture the sensation of the heat shimmering on the surface of the sands or the cold metal of spacecraft moving through the void of space. The audio landscape of the film is equally mesmerizing. From the haunting, stirring score, to the ominous sounds of the mighty sandworm, to the effects that provide the sounds for ships, weapons, and tools, Dune is incredible to hear as well as to see.
The story of Dune, while familiar to readers of the novel, is one that even the unfamiliar will quickly grasp. For all the exotic worlds, strange languages, and dizzying technology, this is a story about politics and people, following the old familiar patterns of empire-building and myth. The feudal world of Dune has historic and literary echoes, with its powerful families, mysterious mystics, and scheming emperor attempting to control the supply of the most valuable substance in their universe, often by crushing or manipulating those under their rule.
Paul Atriedes (Timothée Chalamet), our hero, is a young man with a weighty destiny. Although his role as a “chosen one” is one that may seem familiar, his resemblance to other young men destined to greatness is part of the mythic quality of Dune. Paul shares qualities with figures like Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker, not because of authors borrowing others’ ideas, but because they are pulling from the same mythic well; and while Paul’s gifts, trials, and expectations echo those of the great hero myths, he is still unique. One of the most interesting motifs in the film stems from Paul’s prescient dreams. The film’s opening statement—”Dreams are messages from the deep”—prepares viewers for the way dreams are woven throughout the film. The heroic Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) assures Paul that “Dreams make good stories, but everything important happens when we’re awake.” Yet, Paul’s dreams are critical to his survival against political machinations, inhospitable environments, and hand-to-hand combat.
Dune carefully balances heart-pounding action sequences, backroom scheming, and gently humorous human interactions. Paul’s dream sequences tie the narrative together while demonstrating the power of the spice to both distort and heighten perception.
The acting is excellent, with a talented cast creating the impression that these characters all have history together. Their natural interactions, as friends, lovers, parents, or enemies, bring a level of humanity to what could be an overly technical and cerebral film. Instead, the performances immediately draw the viewer into the lives of individuals swept about by impersonal and distant intrigues and the larger forces of greed, envy, and revenge.
The engaging cast, visual and auditory power, and well-balanced story all work together to create a film that can appeal to those who love the book and to those who have never read or even heard of it. Science fiction may not be everyone’s favorite genre, but during our chilly High Country months, Dune: Part One can be a welcome escape to distant worlds, and even the soaring temperatures in the desert of Arrakis may be an inviting place to visit, at least for two hours.
Rated PG-13 for some disturbing material as well as for scenes featuring intense action and violence, Dune: Part One was released in theaters in October 2021 and is available through streaming services.
