Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited Dunkirk film features the acting debut of one Harry Styles, and last night (July 10) it was screened to fans and critics for the first time. The early verdicts suggest that even if he’s not a surefire future Oscar winner, Styles has a bright acting future ahead of him.
Nolan’s first movie since 2014’s Interstellar, Dunkirk (out July 20) is a WWII epic narrating the June 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, where Allied soldiers attempted to evacuate French beaches while under enemy fire. It sees Styles starring alongside Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Kenneth Branagh – not exactly small company. One viewer is calling it “one of the best war films ever made.”
Yeah, so I can now say I've seen #Dunkirk, and it is one of the best war films ever made. Genuinely. Seriously. Incredible experience.
— Rohan Gotobed (@Rohan_Gotobed) July 10, 2017
Reviews are under embargo until Friday July 14, but early verdicts are already sneaking on Twitter. And beyond the overall Dunkirk acclaim, there’s one broad conclusion – Harry Styles is one hell of an actor.
His appearance in Dunkirk is only brief, but critics are fully on side. Even those who didn’t expect much from his big screen debut.
And for those asking: Harry Styles does well in DUNKIRK, was pleasantly surprised.
— Anna Klassen (@AnnaJKlassen) July 10, 2017
BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra film critic Ali Plumb was fully convinced.
If your big #Dunkirk question is "So is Harry Styles any good?", I have the answer: he's good. Acquits himself admirably. Points for Styles. pic.twitter.com/96dkWxIWUA
— Ali Plumb (@AliPlumb) July 10, 2017
Styles isn’t on camera for long, but according to critics this applies to everyone starring in Dunkirk – it’s part of the movie’s premise.
So don't expect some 20-min monologue about some girl some dude has back home. No time for that. It's all go! go! go! Now RUN!
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 10, 2017
If this music lark doesn’t work out, there’s something else he can turn to.
And we can also confirm that Harry Styles has a film career ahead of him if he wants it. #Dunkirk
— Metro Entertainment (@Metro_Ents) July 10, 2017
I have seen #Dunkirk and it is a triumph: beautifully filmed, deeply moving, strong turns all round (and yes, that includes Harry Styles)
— Anna Smith (@annasmithjourno) July 10, 2017
Styles isn’t the only musical draw on Dunkirk. Everyone’s buzzing about Hans Zimmer’s score. He previously worked with Nolan on Inception and Interstellar.
Also ‘Dunkirk’ is another brilliant collaboration between Nolan & @HansZimmer. The way he mixes in a ticking clock with score is nail biting pic.twitter.com/3lRSs3upPI
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 10, 2017
Critics are also saying Dunkirk’s best viewed on a huge 3D screen. The bigger the screen, the more Styles you see. Simple.
Dunkirk is edge of your seat filmmaking that’s fully realized in @IMAX. Can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like it. See this in IMAX! pic.twitter.com/7F10lnBB5U
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 10, 2017
I'll say this about #Dunkirk: watch it in the biggest, loudest, IMAXiest cinema possible. Like an IMAX, say. pic.twitter.com/OagMmYiTRe
— Ali Plumb (@AliPlumb) July 10, 2017