Christopher Nolan's Auteur Theory In Film

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“specific articulation of the auteurist attitude” (David 38). The theory can be applied to a director

to define his body of work and to understand the form of art he can create. Andrew Sarris states

“The auteur theory emphasizes the body of a director’s work rather than isolated masterpieces, it

is expected of great directors that they make great films every so often” (563). A director can

only be defined as an auteur if he excels in the three main aspects described by Sarris. He states

that the main aspects are the director’s technical competence, distinguishable personality, and

interior meaning (562). The auteur theory can easily be applied to the films in which Christopher

Nolan has directed. Focusing on three films, The Prestige (2006), Memento (2000), and …show more content…
His personal style is steady as

he always emphasizes small objects and uses them as a symbol for the search of identity. These

small objects then hint at the interior meaning that Nolan routinely uses, which is finding ones

true identity and reality. Robert Conley states “All in all, the important thing to understand is

that calling a director an auteur is the highest form of praise” (77). Christopher Nolan can

comfortably be called an auteur and deserves any form of praise, for his body of work proves

that he is a very effective director, and overall, an auteur.

Inception. Dir. Christopher Nolan. Perf. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Paige, Joseph Gordon- Levitt.

Warner Home Video, 2010. DVD.

Prestige, The. Dir. Christopher Nolan. Perf. Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 2007. DVD.

Memento. Dir. Christopher Nolan. Perf. Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano.

Lionsgate, 2011. DVD.

Sarris, Andrew. "Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962." In Film Theory and Criticism:

Introductory Readings. 5th ed. Leo Braudy and Marshall Cohen, eds. New York:
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