Having seen both Barbie and Oppenheimer, I’m glad I didn’t do the Barbenheimer double feature, because Oppenheimer devastated me.
Oppenheimer tracks Robert J Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) creation of the atomic bomb in inspiring and terrifying detail. Throughout the film, director Christopher Nolan makes repeated references of Oppenheimer’s skills as a theoretical physicist, that he’s the great improvisor who can essentially predict the future to see the big picture of his work. Thanks to both Murphy’s subdued yet enthusiastic performance, and Nolan’s precise direction, you can see how Oppenheimer’s ego and passion essentially blinded him. Nolan’s practical effects showing atoms and stars perfectly reflects how Oppenheimer perceives the world, how he can break theories and ideas down and build them back up to create something new. The film is exciting, especially when Oppenheimer works with other scientists. You feel his focus and exuberance working on this exciting project, Nolan really shows Oppenheimer being in the zone. However, mixed in with that excitement, however, is a tension and creeping terror that never lets go.
In addition to the film’s well-publicized practical effects, Oppenheimer’s sound design in is exhilarating. The ticking and cackling of the scientists’ work mixed in with Ludwig Goransson’s gradually building score never eases the tension, and never lets you forget what’s to come. Additionally, Oppenheimer’s story is interspersed with subplots involving interviews for his security clearance, and Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) being vetted for a cabinet position. Both subplots effectively mold the implied dread of the path Oppenheimer is taking. The subplots lend to the grander implications of Oppenheimer’s work from a political perspective, showcasing the parties that are catering to his ego and brilliance for their own gain. His relationship with Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), easily his strongest in the movie, highlights how these outside forces cater to Oppenheimer’s ego and intellect. All these stories are perfectly balanced and paced, the three hours really do fly by thanks to the film’s stellar editing. The direction, writing, sound, editing all come together to one, masterly, moment.
The big payoff of the film, what a lot of the marketing and behind the scenes clips highlight, is Christopher Nolan’s practical nuclear explosion. The buildup leading to the explosion is brilliant enough, but the explosion itself is breathtaking. You feel it’s weight and majesty, the scope is intimidating and aw-inspiring. You feel simultaneous wonder at what Christopher Nolan filmed and the scientists created, mixed in with the terror and the monstrosity unleashed. It’s a beautiful scene. Nolan brilliantly doesn’t make the spectacle the end point of the film, as he contrasts the majesty of the explosion with the horrifying implications that Oppenheimer only really notices in the aftermath. After the explosion, the film keeps going, and Nolan captures Oppenheimer’s conflicted feelings and anxiety in agonizing detail. Oppenheimer crushes you and does not let go.
For as strong as most of the writing is, some of the weaker moments in Oppenheimer involve his romantic life. Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh are brilliant actresses and make the most of their roles as Katherine Oppenheimer and Jean Tatlock respectively. While they do have memorable moments, especially Emily Blunt when she’s interrogated during Oppenheimer’s security clearance, they still feel underdeveloped. Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy especially have some of the funniest sex scenes I’ve ever seen, I still I have no idea if they were meant to be taken seriously or not. I understand wanting to reflect how Oppenheimer couldn’t see the smaller impact of his actions contrasted with the bigger picture, but they really took me out of the film at times.
Oppenheimer is a terrifying film. With the issues today regarding the advancement of A.I., Oppenheimer is one of the most aggressively poignant films out today. The film is an alarm bell, a warning for the destructive nature behind creation mixed with ambition. Oppenheimer is a horror film, birthed from the cultural anxiety of not being unprepared the power we hold.
Oppenheimer is now playing in theaters in IMAX, 70mm, and 35mm