Inception - Thumbs Up or Down?

[NewJeffCT]

Since there have been a bunch of other things I consider spoilers upthread I won't sblock this.

I'm on the fence about whether the ending means he's still dreaming or not. The children not aging really does it for me (when he spoke with them on the phone they sounded older than that, IMO), but I actually wanted the ending to be ambiguous - I didn't want to be able to come to a conclusion about it. I like it when a film keeps me guessing at the end.
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I did not notice this the first time around in the movie, but if you know what to look for within Inception, it is very clear whether the ending is a dream or reality. I had to have it explained to me, and then see it again. Then, you say, "Oh yeah, now I know."

It is NOT related to the children and their clothing, either.

 

[Joker]

I did not notice this the first time around in the movie, but if you know what to look for within Inception, it is very clear whether the ending is a dream or reality. I had to have it explained to me, and then see it again. Then, you say, "Oh yeah, now I know."

It is NOT related to the children and their clothing, either.

Is it because he wears a ring in the dream world and not in the real world?

 

[mandarific]

Thumbs up for me, I really enjoyed it. It also didn't feel as long as it actually was, which was a plus. I haven't seen it a second time though yet, so I'm not really sure about the ending, but I could see where it could go either way.

 

[John Crichton]

I had to have it explained to me

Bummer. I still think that narrowing it down to one answer strips the movie of it's true genius.

 

[jonesy]

I had to have it explained to me, and then see it again. Then, you say, "Oh yeah, now I know."

Dude, don't tease like that. What is it?

 

[NewJeffCT]

Is it because he wears a ring in the dream world and not in the real world?

Yes, it is related to the ring. If I knew how to do spoilet text, I would put the answer to the final scene within spoiler text.

 

[jonesy]

Yes, it is related to the ring. If I knew how to do spoilet text, I would put the answer to the final scene within spoiler text.

{spoiler}text{/spoiler} just replace the { with [

 

[John Crichton]

How to use BB code.

 

[NewJeffCT]

OK, a few things about Inception. Nolan made it intentionally confusing.

First

Spoiler

the children are a bit older at the end of the movie, but not significantly. They are also dressed very similarly, but not exactly the same.

Secondly, the ring and the top

Spoiler

Cobb was very clear that you should never use another person's totem as your own, and the little top was Mal's totem. So, it was not his. The ring was Cobb's own totem.

And, the ending...

Spoiler

Cobb was NOT wearing his wedding band when he went home and saw his children again, so it seems to be a happy ending.

Again, I did not figure it out until somebody told me.

 

[Seonaid]

[sblock]Seriously, though - if Cobb and Saito are in limbo, aren't they functionally braindead? Or do they wake up after the normal amount of IRL time, but (very) possibly insane due to what seems like a near-eternity in limbo?[/sblock]

No, not functionally brain dead. If the rest of the discussion doesn't answer this for you, and you'd like to know more, just ask.

First

Spoiler

the children are a bit older at the end of the movie, but not significantly. They are also dressed very similarly, but not exactly the same.

This isn't necessarily a real clue--it could just be his memory/dream not being 100% accurate.

Secondly, the ring and the top

Spoiler

Cobb was very clear that you should never use another person's totem as your own, and the little top was Mal's totem. So, it was not his. The ring was Cobb's own totem.

Spoiler

Actually, he was very clear that you should use something completely unique to yourself as your totem . . . in which case the wedding band doesn't work, because multiple people have touched it.