Among the few visionary directors of our time, Christopher Nolan probably tops the list with his eccentric themes and otherworldly storylines. His movies are dotted with numerous science-fiction aspects that some people might find hard to understand. Nolan has a very dedicated fanbase that appreciates watching intellectual movies that make their brain wheels turn. However, Nolan’s movies are not for everyone, as evident in the recent comments made by his Peloton instructor.

Also Read: Christopher Nolan’s One of the Most Favorite Modern Films Includes a Movie by 1 Director Who Was Ousted by Marvel Studios

Christopher Nolan’s Peloton Instructor Did Not Like His Movie

Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy
Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan received the Best Director Award from the New York Film Critics Circle recently. Given his standing in the industry, it was understandable for Nolan to receive such an honor, and it will come as no surprise when his latest blockbuster sweeps the upcoming Oscar awards. While accepting the award, Nolan gave a speech where he said,

“Directors have a complex emotional relationship with critics and criticism. A question we’re always asked is: Do we read reviews? Let’s start with the fact that I’m British. A typical family gathering will involve relatives saying to me, ‘You know, Christopher. You probably shouldn’t open The Guardian today.’”

He further spoke about how criticism of films is democratized when it should be a profession that only qualified people are allowed to make. People are known to comment on movies based on their minimal understanding of entertainment. However, some movies, like Nolan’s flicks, are not for mere entertainment.

They have a deeper correlation to events in real life or concepts that go beyond mass understanding. He shared an incident to back his claim where he took a virtual workout class, but the instructor did not know Nolan was in attendance.

Tenet
Tenet – Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

“I was on my Peloton. I’m dying. And the instructor started talking about one of my films and said, ‘Did anyone see this? That’s a couple hours of my life I’ll never get back again!’ When [film critic] Rex Reed takes a shit on your film he doesn’t ask you to work out! In today’s world, where opinions are everywhere, there is a sort of idea that film criticism is being democratized, but I for one think the critical appreciation of films shouldn’t be an instinct but it should be a profession.”

Seems like the comment really stuck with Nolan, who remembered the instructor’s words years after the incident. The director did not specify which movie the instructor was talking about, but users on X were quick to guess Tenet since the timeline suggested it.

Also Read: “It broke my heart”: Cillian Murphy is Haunted by a Major Christopher Nolan Regret

Peloton Instructor Clarifies Her Claims

Christopher Nolan's Tenet
Robert Pattinson and

After the bustle of her comments, Jenn Sherman, the peloton instructor who took the class with Nolan, posted on Instagram to set the record straight. Probably in an effort to get in the international director’s good graces and not anger him further, Sherman poured her heart out in appreciation of Nolan.

“Huge day for me, when I come to find out that the one and only Christopher Nolan, one of the leading filmmakers of the 21st century, knows who the hell I am. I was excited. And then I read the article. I may not have understood a minute of what was going on in ‘Tenet.’ That shit went right over my head. But I have seen ‘Oppenheimer’ twice. And that’s six hours of my life that I don’t ever want to give back.”

 

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A post shared by Jenn Sherman (@pelotonjenn)

Sherman further adds that in the moment of the class, she was just trying to keep her energies up and talking without thinking or as she calls it “running my mouth off like I’m known to do.” Nonetheless, it is understandable that the instructor was just making conversation and meant no harm. Sometimes, people like one movie by a director without liking his entire filmography, and that is okay.

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