Oppenheimer (2023) | Film Review

“Is anyone interested in hearing the truth?”

A fundamental question posed by Dr J Robert Oppenheimer himself, deep in the subtext of the megaton, three-hour opus that examines the life and work of the father of the atomic bomb. As requested, I will begin this with a few very real truths. The first is that I am not a trained cinephile. I watch movies to be entertained and to learn something from the art in the hope that I may have deeper discussions with others to further enhance our shared existence. Second I am a child of the Cold War. I grew up in a time of fear, hatred, fallout shelter drills and movies like The Manhattan Project, Amazing Grace and Chuck, and The Day After (which we were forced to watch as kids). You can understand why a movie about the creation of the atomic bomb and our atomic policy, presented by one of our times greatest film creators and directors would be a draw. Oppenheimer is best summed up in one word. Speechless

It is hard to find a failure in Christopher Nolan’s resume, even Tenet which had challenges was generally liked overall. Nolan is synonymous with a twist or some revelation in the end that if you followed the narrative would leave you in awe immediately beckoning you back for a second viewing. Could a biopic actually keep that streak alive? Yes, and then some! Oppenheimer is almost two movies in one, not because of the run time, but because of the topics covered in Dr. Oppenheimer’s journey. The man as the scientist, developing what would become the worlds weapon to hopefully end all war, and the politician attempting to influence America’s atomic energy program and policies in a time that feared fascism and communist ideals.

Cillian Murphy while on set requested to only be referred to as Bob or Robert to remain in character the entire time during the filming. This shows in the dedication to crafting a man that was a truly brilliant mind while also truly  troubled by the horror human beings were capable of creating. Give Murphy the Oscar now! Truly a brilliant performance. Not once did I ever see his characters from two Batman films, Inception, and Dunkirk – all Nolan projects. He also worked with Emily Blunt in A Quiet Place 2. Not surprising this led to Emily playing Oppenheimer’s wife Kitty in the film. Despite Dr. Oppenheimer’s many flaws over the years his wife stays loyal to him til the very end. Both actors have to play various stages of the marriage from the early days of an unwanted child, through the affairs with other lovers, to the end when Kitty has to testify about her husband in a scene that will go down as one of Emily’s best.

The entire cast fires on all cylinders. Robert Downy Jr’s portrayal of Lewis Strauss, a politically charged man looking to settle a score against Oppenheimer for publicly humiliating him is spot on. Iron Man who? He truly embraces the political climb and stress it causes, both in silence and in full on rant mode with his advisors. Matt Damon’s General Leslie Groves who ran the the military side of Los Alamos, the epicenter of the Manhattan project and where the final tests were conducted, adds the presence of Americana and the voice of why it was important for America to be first. Florence Pugh’s brief but impactful appearances as  Jean Tatlock, Oppenheimer’s secret lover, helps showcase Oppenheimer’s flaws and the battle Kitty had to face in connecting with her husband. Even the supporting cast of scientists, workers, senators, fill out the film to transport you back to 1940s and 1950s where the communist party was rising up, the world was on the brink of annihilation, and everyone did their best to play their part to keep the American dream alive.

But the movie really finds itself in the cinematography, sound, and small moments that demonstrate why Nolan and the team of Oppenheimer were on their A-game.  Stunning visuals worked in to showcase the mind of Oppenheimer in how he thought, and visualized this journey. The maddening volume in IMAX that almost deafens you with the cheering, the yelling, just how overwhelming the experiences are that Oppenheimer is feeling. The small touches like the use of an orange as food to depict the similarities to a bomb’s core and the color of the pilar of fire about to be unleashed on humanity. But most importantly the silence. The pure nothingness that exists in that moment when Oppenheimer faces the horror of what has been unleashed on the world.

Which brings us to the the truth. If you don’t walk away from this film and seriously question your place in the world, the hubris of mankind, the stupidity of political power, and the sheer horror and destruction we are all capable of – both at an atomic level and at a personal level in our dealings with others, you may just find yourself blinded and reduced to ash. From dust we were created and to dust we shall return. Let’s use our time we have here to create a world of understanding and peace. It’s what Oppenheimer wanted in the end. Let us finally learn from our past, before we are doomed to repeat it.

Listen to our full review of Oppenheimer on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: