Christopher Todd is a movie critic for the Samford Crimson. The views expressed in this opinion article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Samford Crimson or Samford University.
“Oppenheimer” (2023) is a story of a curious, complex and controversial man whose actions led the United States to the height of its power, while simultaneously leading himself to destruction. A truly personal film, despite the grand scale of the events depicted, we are offered a very intimate look at the potential thoughts and feelings of Oppenheimer during his extraordinary life. Its director, Christopher Nolan, masterfully condenses “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” the definitive biography on the father of the atomic bomb written by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. This three-hour biopic details the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer – the triumphant yet tragic figure at the heart of the U.S. Nuclear Program during World War II.
Similar to many of Nolan’s other films, the plot structure is laid out in a non-linear fashion. After a short intro sequence, the film begins in Oppenheimer’s 1954 security hearing at the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), after the events of the Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer is defending his loyalty to the U.S. at this hearing while the films flashes back to scenes of his life. Adhering closely to the source material, the audience is taken through Oppenheimer’s academic pursuits abroad, his time teaching at UC Berkeley, the Manhattan Project, the hearing at the AEC and his reception of the Enrico Fermi award in 1963.
The cinematic version of a biography on a theoretical physicist may sound boring, but Nolan proves that he has mastered the art of suspense and pacing in filmmaking. Of course, he is backed by the brilliant work of composer Ludwig Göransson, known for his work on “The Mandalorian.” “Can You Hear The Music” is a revelation, changing tempo 21 times in under two minutes. This creates a hypnotizing piece that makes you believe that you too can become one of the world’s leading physicists once you exit the theater. The mix of modern sounds with classical strings is evocative of the innovative mind of the physicist and retains a timeless feel.
There is simply not a bad performance in this film. Cillian Murphy’s stunning performance captures the charisma of the cult-like charm that Oppenheimer, or “Oppie,” had in his younger years as a professor. Murphy counteracts this with the responsibility and guilt he felt in the years following the detonation of the deadliest weapons used in combat. Emily Blunt plays Kitty, Oppenheimer’s wife, and steals the show in the last 30 minutes of the film. Robert Downey Jr. is a force to be reckoned with, portraying the vengeful and conniving Lewis Strauss to perfection. Every member of this cast gives a spectacular performance.
The use of 70MM IMAX film combined with Hoyte van Hoytema’s expertise behind the camera creates absolutely stunning images. Although the majority of the film consists of discourse between characters, van Hoytema breaks up the monotony with intense close-ups. These shots allow the viewer to take in every detail of the actors’ performances. Viewing “Oppenheimer” in its full IMAX format is one of the most beautiful viewing experiences I’ve had in the cinema. Whether it’s the flash of the Trinity test, the vast expanse of New Mexico or a tight shot on Murphy, everything is intensified.
In “Oppenheimer,” many themes are explored that are applicable today. Parallels have been drawn to the explosion technology in the artificial intelligence and machine learning space. The question of ethical responsibility in technological advances is posed many times throughout the film. Many scientists are concerned about the use of their invention, but these concerns are brushed to the side, as the race to finish the bomb and win the war is too important. Many see AI as another paradigm-shifting invention that desperately needs regulations before it’s too late. This was Oppenheimer’s stance after the invention of the atomic bomb. He spent the latter years of his life attempting to regulate the weapon he oversaw the creation of. In the film, there’s also a focus on loyalty – to country, friends and family (or lack thereof). Oppenheimer became a social pariah because of his associations with members of the communist party and was isolated for much of his later life.
“Oppenheimer,” in my opinion, is a very important, thought-provoking film. Although some may find the focus on geopolitics and physics a bit difficult to follow, I found the film to be engaging for the full 3 hour runtime. After watching, I couldn’t stop pondering the moral dilemmas posed by the film. I was so intrigued by the multi-faceted figure who is J. Robert Oppenheimer. When I got out of the theater, I immediately purchased a copy of “American Prometheus” and read the 700-page biography in about two weeks – and I’m not a big reader. Nolan has done it again. This film will certainly be nominated for several Oscars, and in my opinion, Nolan should win “Best Director” for this beautiful piece of cinema.
Rating: 9/10.
