9 of 9

LESSON 5 · Legendary Films Decoded

Faith in the Cut

Nolan has said the real clue is behavior, not the top: Cobb walks away without watching it. He stops caring whether he is dreaming because his children are right there, and that is enough for him.

That choice points at the film's biggest idea. We accept Cobb's world on feeling, with no proof — the exact leap of faith every viewer makes when they let a movie feel real.