Oppenheimer
“I am become death, the destroyer of worlds”. Think about how insane this is. This man, this real man – J. Robert Oppenheimer, said this as part of a longer quote in reference to witnessing the Trinity Test, the first test of the atomic bomb. This is someone who knew the gravity of what he was doing, and did it anyways. The atomic genie is out of the bottle and can never be put back. And as is masterfully demonstrated in the new Christopher Nolan biopic – the world never was or ever will be the same.
It's hard to comprehend the magnitude of these events even now, 78 years later. But in this new film, Nolan does a comprehensive retelling of Oppenheimer's electric adult years, and just how serious the situation was. In all our modern lives we've never been faced with such a monumental and terrifying experience as the nuclear arms race. And although one day perhaps A.I. will reach those levels of seriousness, the race between the US and the Russians and Germans to create a nuclear bomb will forever be a chapter of history where the literal world could have come to an end in a fiery ball.
I would love to see the creation of a Nolan film from start to finish, because when you watch “Oppenheimer” what you get is a seamless dance of several timelines competing for screen time at a breakneck pace. Before the Trinity Test, after it, after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, all compete in tandem for your attention while Cillian Murphy controls the screen as the titular J. Robert Oppenheimer. I struggle to understand how the script could even remotely resemble the finished project the way it jumps around so much. I suspect the magic really comes through in the editing process. But whatever they're doing, they're doing it at a level that no other filmmaker currently is.
Murphy is great. He's such a good actor and always has been. But more often than not, he's been a villain or a side character, especially in Nolan features. So it's wonderful here to see him as the lead of such a grand project. Not only did he deserve it, but he runs with it to the hoop and slam dunks it. He brings all the nuance and charisma to the character you would expect of someone who could actually bring together “The Avengers” of 1940s scientists to the Manhattan Project.
“Oppenheimer” features so many prominent scientists you'll find yourself shocked at how many famous names you've heard individually were actually working together. And I guess that makes sense considering what they achieved was the greatest destructive weapon mankind has ever seen (to date).
The entire cast is completely solid, also as you'd come to expect of a Nolan film. With especially high praise going to Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr. Each bringing particular levels of intensity to their roles.
I've heard some criticisms that there isn't much action, so I guess it's fine to let you know that no, it isn't an action movie. It is 99% talking, because it is in fact a biopic, exactly as it's been marketed as the entire time. Possibly these criticisms are rising due to unrealistic expectations derived from meme culture? But it's an awesome drama. It's so, so well made. I never once felt it was over long, but if there is a criticism, it's that it's 3 hours long. So don't drink a ton before or during the movie, or you might miss some vital information. And if you're seeing it in Imax like I did, come prepared. There are no trailers or ads before. So show up on time or you could miss a large chunk of the opening.
10/10 - Masterpiece
