Oppenheimer Cast: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett
Oppenheimer Crew:
Based on American Prometheus by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin
Cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema
Music by Ludwig Goransson
Edited by Jennifer Lame
Produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan
Written & Directed by Christopher Nolan
Oppenheimer Movie Rating: 3.5/5
American Prometheus Book talks about the rise and fall of Robert J. Oppenheimer. He is known as “Father of the Atomic Bomb”. Christopher Nolan adapted the book into a 3 hour long movie. He took big stars like Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt and highly regarded actor like Cillian Murphy to play lead roles. Oppenheimer has generated great buzz. Even USA government in December, 2022 has overturned the decision made by a commission to revoke “security clearance” of the revered scientist. We can categorise it has the impact of a popular filmmaker choosing to make a biopic on Oppenheimer. Well, Let’s discuss if Christopher Nolan kept up with his streak of delivering great films yet again or not.
Oppenheimer Plot:
Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) is always fascinated by the atoms and energy they carry and transmit. He meets Niels Bohr (Kenneth Branagh) and upon his suggestion leaves to Europe. There he sharpens his theoritical physics skills and returns to America as a much celebrated personality in science community. He introduces Quantam Mechanics to USA. Oppenheimer’s brother is affiliated to Communist Party USA.
His girlfriend Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh) and wife Kitty Oppenheimer(Emily Blunt) also belong to communist background. When he is asked to head Manhattan Project by Col. Leslie Groves(Matt Damon), he proposes Los Almos, to be the perfect sight. After the invention, he becomes a huge celebrity but is plagued by the guilt for giving a powerful mass weapon of destruction to human kind. On the other hand Lewis Strauss(Robert Downey Jr.) is under a senate hearing and Oppenheimer is under another hearing. To know why, watch the movie, Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer Analysis:
Christopher Nolan is known for building anxiety and deliver great cinematic moments at the perfect timing. He did not disappoint again. In Oppenheimer, he took even more unconventional path to not let audiences feel the length of the film. He cuts back and forth to several events and asks utmost engagement to understand. Few details in the first hour seem to be rushing us to catch up. Few details stay with us as they have much more impact than we can imagine. With a simple introduction and very focused approach, Nolan keeps us hooked in the proceedings. The speed at which details are being shared with us, we feel like not leaving the screen even for a second. And he builds up to the Trinity Test, as the biggest moment in the history. And delivers the impact with highly unconventional choices. Even towards the end, he again does the same with Oppenheimer close-up.
Nolan has left no stone unturned to make this film, an experience. While it is a biopic, it still becomes the most relevant story from history. He keeps the stakes high with the drama and we are hooked to the unrelenting details and drama built by conversations. Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. did their career best in their characters and are expected to get an Oscar Nomination for sure. Oppenheimer is a very relevant film with a message about the destruction that humankind can bring upon themselves. Ludwig Goransson’s score and Hoytema cinematography lend to the overall experience. Sound Design leaves us breatheless and Oppenheimer is a must watch at theatres for the experience it offers.
Oppenheimer Positives:
Technical Ensemble
Cast Ensemble
Ludwig Goransson Score
Interesting writing
Daring Direction Choices
Special Mention to Sound Design
Oppenheimer Negatives:
Length gets you at times
Oppenheimer Bottom-line: An Artistic Atomic Explosion!