Oppenheimer Review

Destroyer of Worlds

Barbenheimer Part 2: Oppenheimer. This film is directed by my favorite movie director of all time Christopher Nolan and chronicles the life and story and Robert Oppenheimer the man who created the atomic bomb. Nolan has been a renowned filmmaker known for his unique storytelling style and use of minimal computer generated effects. He has made films such as the The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar, and Tenet and usually is one of the few directors that has both commercially and critically successful films that are up for Oscar season. It is with a full and happy heart that I truly believe Nolan has achieved undoubtedly one of his greatest films yet in Oppenheimer. The film is fast paced, intriguing, surprisingly intimate, and leaves you thinking about it long after its glorious cinematographic picture comes to a close. This is one of Nolan’s masterpiece and undoubtedly my favorite film of the year so far.

During World War II, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appoints physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb. Their work comes to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witness the world’s first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history.

Cillian Murphy is an absolute masterpiece in this film in his first ever lead role in a Christopher Nolan film. His journey as Robert Oppenheimer is both a soulful and heavy one as he wears the burden of a man that created a device that killed so many people. You see his journey from youthful and relatable scientist to a man burdened with knowledge at the power he has created and the millions of people his creation destroyed. We see what that kind of power and responsibility does to a person, especially when they truly believe they were helping mankind to be a better place. The heavy toll the film takes on him is absolutely sold excellently by Murphy and deserves serious Oscar nominations or I will riot.

Nolan also does something creative in showcasing the various thoughts, emotions, and mental state Oppenheimer goes through in the film. He uses small practical effects that showcase his view on the beauty of the earth and the creativity of his mind in creating the atomic bomb. As the film progresses, the imagery turns into more chaotic and destructive showcasing just have devastating this event has had on his scientific mind. It’s an added layer that makes the film feel more intimate, as if we are on this journey with Oppenheimer instead of just observing events taking place.

Nolan films usually feature a star studded cast, but this film has one of the most impressive line ups of people some of which I don’t want to spoil. From Florence Pugh to Emily Blunt, from Josh Peck to Kenneth Branagh, everyone here delivers a knockout performance. What’s particularly profound is how limited each person’s screen time is compared with the caliber or acting performances they have. It’s impressive to see just how many actors want to work with Christopher Nolan these days. Above all, one of the most surprising and impressive performances is from Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss. He gives a commanding performance as one of Oppenheimer’s friends and adversaries in the governmental hearing sequences that brings the movie to a whole new level of tension in the latter half in particular. His ego compared with Oppenheimer’s becomes a central driving force in the movie that culminates in a fantastic dramatic conclusion that draws out their performances like no other.

The story unfolds in true Nolan fashion with a single dominant storyline that is then supplemented by flashbacks and flashforwards to give the signature nonlinear storytelling. It works masterfully in this film as we often get to see some scenes repeated but through a new lens and understanding that adds to the tension of the script. The script is incredibly fast paced with quick dialogue, change of scenery, and jumping around in settings. What could be seen as jarring actually ends up being engaging and thrilling as it confronts you to ensure that you are locked into this 3 hour drama, following along the details to reach its most satisfying and emotional conclusions. It’s something Nolan does best and it undoubtedly works in this biopic.

No discussion of this film would be complete without talking about the beautiful cinematography, the haunting score, and the powerful sound design that were all elevated in the 70 mm IMAX viewing of the film. The cinematography is astounding brining us into the mind of Oppenheimer seeing his greatest discoveries and fears and anxieties come to life as he wrestles with them. The sound design supplants this providing you with goosebumps as you experience the horrifying real consequences of Oppenheimer’s actions allowing you to feel what he does. The score then under currents this providing great moments of tension elevating in the pivotal scenes of the film. While most people are looking forward to the Trinity Test bombing (and it was marvelous), the cinematography, sound design, and score all actually culminate beautifully in a number of other areas that left me invested and thrilled in the film.

The film’s themes are constantly nagging at you even through the film’s conclusion as you feel the rush of adrenaline in the face of death and destruction. Oppenheimer’s journey from youthful scientist to one burdened with the responsibility of actions is an exceedingly tense one that maintains the momentum throughout. We see what this type of action does to a person and how their lives are forever changed. Nolan has struggled with the more emotional and intimate parts in his last two films, but absolutely nails it out of the park here. It’s one that makes you leaves the theater in silent reflection pondering the impact this event had on the world but also on the person behind it.

The film is 3 hours long and it is a war drama with a mostly a lot of people in rooms talking with each other. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then okay, but I found it utterly engrossing and mesmerizing. A true masterpiece. If you have the chance to watch it in 70mm IMAX, please do as this allows you to have the best immersive experience as the director intended.

Oppenheimer is one Nolan’s best films that succeeds on almost every level. While the buildup to the bomb is certainly a driving force in the film, it is mainly concerned with the man behind the bomb and how the creation and aftermath of it affected him and his role. It’s beautifully directed biopic and perhaps a masterpiece in filmmaking. Christopher Nolan is one of the few directors today still making great films for film lovers and I am so excited to be a part of this journey. Definitely check this one out on the biggest screen possible.

(A+) Hauntingly Beautiful