Dune
Dune was written by Frank Herbert and first published in the 1960s. It’s about a noble family who has been entrusted to manage the galaxy’s most precious element, spice. They must move to the planet Arrakis, a desert planet inhabited by giant sandworms, where they must continue harvesting and distributing the material – meanwhile, other houses move against them in the shadows.
I’ve known about Dune for a long time. Given it’s an epic world building science fiction book, this is in my wheelhouse. What I’ve also heard is how notoriously complex it is, particularly to adapt into a film. Which was first done by David Lynch in 1984 and then later as a miniseries in the 2000s. I’ve not seen either, but with a new attempt to adapt it on the horizon, helmed by visionary genius Denis Villeneuve, I decided to at least give the book sample a go on my Kindle.
To my absolute delight and surprise, I discovered a new world full of rich culture, gender politics, religions, philosophy, history, technology, engaging characters, and a thrilling plot – all written in an engaging style. This is not to say that the point about it being complex was now mute. I needed to stop a few times and re-read sections of the book to understand what was going on, to the extent that I even bought a physical copy of it for ease.
Dune is a book rich in storytelling, one that asks you to stop, slow down, pay attention and immersive yourself. It’s simply a higher calibre of book, which I can’t say is a bad thing really. A book that makes you slow down and appreciate the story, then rewards your effort with a beautiful world filled with extraordinary characters and an exceptional journey – really, I couldn’t help but quickly fall in love with it. Once I started reading Dune, I didn’t want to stop, which to me is the mark of a good book, and exactly what one wants from storytelling.
Another reason I decided to dive in was because of Denis Villeneuve. To me, the man is a master of cinematography, an artist whose work includes Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Again, two more challenging stories to tell, which is perhaps why he was approached to make Dune. So I was excited to see how he would handle it, given it’s a 529 page book, not including appendices.
I saw Dune with my partner, who hadn’t read the book, which in turn made me excited to what she would think of the film. From the moment it starts, Hans Zimmer’s music immediately hits you with its slow drum beat that builds into a crescendo. We were both instantly captivated, and though the film is 2 hours 30 minutes, it doesn’t feel like it.
I don’t know how the previous attempts to adapt this worked, but this version is split into two, with the second part coming out in a few years. This move is normally reserved for the last films of a series like Harry Potter. But for Dune it’s less about drawing the films out to keep the franchise alive, as it is about delivering a complex story in a way that balances plot and action.
Visually this film is so incredibly beautiful. If you’re familiar with Villeneuve’s work, then this won’t be a surprise. This was my first time seeing it in IMAX and my god each frame is genuinely like a work of art. Matched by Hans Zimmer epic soundtrack, this is such a visceral experience. And though the film was shot with a mix of practical sets in the desert and visual effects, it all looked so real.
Subsequently, I’ve watched a video from the YouTube channel Corridor Crew who all work in visual effects, and they were blown away by the film. Even doing a cross comparison of Lynch’s film, and it’s clear that while Villeneuve was heavily inspired by it, he’s taken it to the next level. He’s of course been aided both by the advancement of technology but also by using straightforward techniques with a high-level finish, with an eye for meticulous detail and masterful observation of movement and lighting. An example of this are the Ornithopters (the helicopters) that mimic the movement of a dragonfly.
The characters are all very well cast. And while they’re played by established actors, which might give the feel of a big blockbuster, the acting felt more like performances of a smaller, intimate independent film where the focus is on the acting over set pieces.
Two examples of this talent are Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson. Their characters experience an incredible arc, with some really raw vulnerable moments performed perfectly. I think I’ve only ever seen Ferguson in the Mission Impossible films where her character is a great deal more sexualised. Here it’s the scared emotion of a usually stoic mother’s love and her connection to her son that elevates the performance, and it’s staggering how good she is.
Timothée Chalamet was another surprise to me. I’m of course familiar with him, and know the hype around the actor, but I’ve never actually seen him in a film before. I now totally understand why people rave about him. With so many close-up shots and depth to convey, I think he’s doing an impeccable job as Paul Atreides.
Both the film and book are absolutely extraordinary. If you’re looking for something to engage with, something that’s akin to the cult classics of science fiction. Or you’re simply a fan of the director’s work then I can’t recommend this film highly enough.
Like most adaptations, the book is the far richer and more faithful story. Which is probably wise. The two-sit shoulder to shoulder telling the same story but on different levels. I don’t think this detracts from the overall experience and enjoyment of the piece as my partner loved the film. So whether you choose to read the book, or watch the film, or do both. I feel they are complete and powerful experiences.
I’ve purposefully not given a detailed review of the plot. I think to do it justice would require another blog entry and there’s so much to analyse and discuss. This was always meant to be a more top-level review.
Having now read the first book and seen the film, I can’t wait to start reading book two and to watch the next part of the film in a few years.
5/5
I honestly can’t flaw this cinematic masterpiece.