‘Oppenheimer’ Review – An Immensely Captivating Detonation Of Talent

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Synopsis: Written and directed by CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, Oppenheimer is an IMAX®-shot epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.

You don’t get to do dirt and then play the victim when it all goes awry. If you’re intelligent enough to scheme and cognitively equipped to know better, martyrdom is out of the question. You get no sympathy. Humans are brilliant, flawed, and complicated creatures, and mistakes are guaranteed to be made. However, when you knowingly attempt to deceive others, expect the hammer to come down on you at some point. Unfortunately, with charm, power, or influence comes the illusion of innocence and the magic of distraction. Nevertheless, truth eventually always wins out over hubris. Hopefully, you make peace with your misdeeds.

“Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.”

Have you ever had a thought that you didn’t want to say out loud because you were afraid that it might come true? In that same vein, if you envision and create something with the potential to decimate everyone and everything, do you stop it before it’s finished or deal with the guilt after the fact? Do you rationalize your actions by realizing that even if you don’t create this tool of death and despair then someone else will? Or do you secretly enjoy feeling like a god? Written and directed by Christopher Nolan and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, ‘American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer’, Oppenheimer is an immensely captivating detonation of talent. I think it’s safe to say that the block has officially been busted.

This perfect marriage of writing, direction, performance, and technical excellence is neither a celebration nor an indictment of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of a weapon unfit for human hands, but rather a character study and an exploration of one the most pivotal moments in human existence. Littered with familiar faces and historical names, this explosive political thriller is tense, highly intriguing and informative, and extremely entertaining. Giving each of its stars their moment to shine, not only did they radiate incredible skill but the moments are some of the best of the year. This is not only about one man’s hubris, one country’s obsession with global dominance, or the greatest and deadliest invention known to man at that time, but ultimately, it’s how one vendetta can turn the most famous man in the world into government enemy number one. Told and unfolding in a way that only Nolan can orchestrate, this dialogue-driven dandy tells an interwoven story that is alluring from beginning to end.

“The greatest scientific gamble in history.”

Screening it as intended, in 70mm IMAX, Oppenheimer is one of the best sounding, best looking, and well-executed films of the year. This science-heavy screen addiction has something for everyone. It’s one of those segments of history that you thought you knew but you knew what was on the surface. Taking place during the middle of the hunt for American Communists into full-blown McCarthyism, it features an abundance of drama, followable science, war room meetings, and love and affairs. There are these fantastic active moments of cognitive dissonance that we see begin to quake in Robert’s conscience as he begins to become aware of the path he is traversing. We witness the true power of a cult of personality and its potential to ruin everything it touches along with the jealousy it awakens. Not to mention, with how it’s shot and edited, the unusual beauty and sheer destructive force that the Manhattan Project produced. The clash and melding of scientific and military minds is a sight to see.

Besides its 3-hour runtime, I have nothing negative to say about this near-perfect piece of cinema. Nevertheless, if you’re not into history or don’t care for films with heavy dialogue, this probably isn’t for you. There is some nudity and dark themes, so if you have someone young with you, this is your warning. However, nothing is overly graphic. When it comes to the technical side, you’d be hard-pressed to find a film this year that is more technically sound. The cinematography is masterful, the Ludwig Göransson composed score is perfect, the production and costume design are truly transportive, and it’s excellently written. The film gets better with each act. The last hour is golden. This should definitely be seen on the biggest screen possible. Go to the bathroom beforehand and pace your drink sipping because you don’t want to miss a single moment. Its rewatchability is high.

 

Pacing & Pop

It’s always interesting to talk about the pace of a 3-hour film. No matter how fantastic a piece of cinema is, you’re eventually going to feel the physical stress of sitting for 180 minutes. You start to get a little antsy, your back tightens, and the standoff between you and your bladder begins to reach the negotiation phase, however, I never wanted to leave my seat. While it is a dialogue-driven story, it flows incredibly smooth. With so many moving parts and the rapid nature of the conversations and the editing, you don’t want to miss a minute. What popped for me was the satisfying nature of the two massive payoffs. One is what you expect to see and is a visual and audible jolt to the senses. The other is the result of superb storytelling. 

 

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh

This ensemble, especially its lead, is destined for award nominations. Cillian Murphy delivers such an awe-inspiring performance that whenever the name J. Robert Oppenheimer dances on your ear drums, it’s Murphy’s face and voice that will be at the forefront of your mind. He commands the screen at all times. Robert Downey Jr. is certain to be atop the best supporting actor list after his performance as Lewis Straus. Together they are two men cut from opposite ends of the same cloth. Emily Blunt as the wife of Robert Oppenheimer, Kitty, initially seems to play a mere ancillary role until you realize that she has been the antithesis of Robert’s conscience. And when she gets her time to shine, it may send chills down your spine. Matt Damon perfectly embodies General Leslie Groves Jr. and his duty to his country. Lastly, Florence Pugh as psychiatrist Jean Tatlock is where we get to see the true nature and personality of Oppenheimer. The rest of the cast did amazing as well.

Oppenheimer releases exclusively in theaters on July 21, 2023. Remain safe and try not to blow up the world.

Rated: R

Runtime: 3h

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Christopher Nolan

Producers: Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan

Executive Producers: J. David Wargo, James Woods, Thomas Hayslip

Based on: American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin

Director of Photography: Hoyte van Hoytema

Production Design: Ruth De Jong

Costume Design: Ellen Mirojnick

Score: Ludwig Göransson