Revised Post: What is Reality?

What is Reality? extracted off Google Images

What is reality? In the movie Inception, it’s quite easy to get lost in the real world or dream state because of how realistic and complex the dreams world feels for the characters and viewers. But to avoid the confusion of being lost in these alternate states, Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, invents a system of using a totem to help differentiate what is reality. For example, in the dream state the totem will spin forever; however, in reality we know that totem eventually will topple over. However, the closing sequence has drawn a lot of controversy from many viewers that I know personally and on the Internet from trying to get a better grip on the movie.

            The closing sequence in Inception, begins when Cobb finds Saito in limbo and reminds him of something he once knew, that this world is not real. As Cobb says this, his totem is spinning continuously thus showing Saito that they are not in the real world. Saito replies, “To honor our arrangement”.

 “To take a leap of faith,” whispers Cobb as he starts desperately into Saito eyes making sure that he is totally convinced that this world they are in is not real. Once Saito realizes this he reaches for the gun and presumably kills himself in order to escape limbo. Upon killing themselves, Saito and Cobb, wake up on the plane in relief that they are alive and that their plan worked. Due to the idea of inception being a success Cobb is able to come home thanks to his arrangement with Saito.

            The final and most confusing part of the movie in my opinion is the closing scene in which Cobb is finally able to see his kids again. However, what makes this scene frustrating is that is extremely hard to differentiate whether Cobb is in the real world or dream world. The first few times I watched the movie, I thought he was still in a dream but upon closely watching the film I know he was in reality or that he doesn’t care because he was with his family.