The trailers had me fired up for Dunkirk. An incredible story of triumph in defeat.

So, I was disappointed in how much I didn’t like the movie when I saw it today.

It has almost a sour tone. About halfway through I was beginning to wonder if anybody would ever be rescued. I know Christopher Nolan wanted to avoid the heroic war epics to stick with realism. But too many of the main characters are too unpleasant for me to watch. One of the storylines, on the small private boat headed to help in the rescue, has a traumatized rescued pilot that I wish would not have been rescued.

I also thought the music was way over the top, overpowering actual words and drawing out dramatic scenes too long. For those who love all visuals and sound and very little crackling decipherable dialogue, this is your movie.

I’m sad I didn’t care for the movie.

I would love to see a Dunkirk story focused on the people in those small craft boats that crossed the channel and saved the day.