Oppenheimer: Haunting, Captivating, and Tragic tale that echoes the Intensity of ‘12 Angry Men’
In “Oppenheimer,” Nolan has unearthed a living embodiment of his most profound fascinations: the allure of clandestine knowledge with the power to reshape our world; the dread of malevolent devices whose existence threatens our very survival; the bitter irony of our proudest accomplishments morphing into our deepest remorse; the precarious balance between valor and infamy. With Oppenheimer as his canvas, Nolan masterfully intertwines these motifs into a riveting historical tapestry. While it may not fit neatly into a genre box, it outpaces many action thrillers and out-chills most horror spectacles.
Oppenheimer emerges as the ideal character for Cillian Murphy, a stalwart of Nolan’s ensemble who is gifted with a career-defining role. As the physicist who funneled his existential dread and quantum curiosity into a cataclysmic breakthrough, Murphy portrays a man forever haunted by the Pandora’s box he has flung open.
Despite their fleeting presence on screen, Nolan extracts career-best performances from an ensemble cast of recognizable faces. The intellectual sparring of these scientists is so captivating, I could easily lose myself in their debates for hours on end.
The film ascends steadily, building momentum with the precision of a symphony, culminating in a finale that is nothing short of seismic. It may well be the most emotionally charged moment in Nolan’s illustrious repertoire, a testament to his ability to touch the human spirit even amidst the most grandiose of narratives.
Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” isn’t just a film; it’s a symphony of sight and sound that resonates deep within the soul of every cinephile and science lover.
From the moment the opening credits rolled, I was plunged headfirst into the world of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the enigmatic figure at the heart of the atomic age. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill biopic; it’s a raw, unflinching exploration of the man behind the mushroom cloud.
Nolan, with his masterful storytelling, weaves a tale that is as straightforward as it is profound. No fluff, no unnecessary detours, just the unadulterated truth of Oppenheimer’s journey from physicist to ‘father of the atomic bomb.’
The soundscape of “Oppenheimer” is a character in its own right. Each explosion, each whispered secret, each ticking clock reverberates through the theater, immersing you in the heart of the action. You’re not just a spectator; you’re a participant in this grand narrative.
Visually, “Oppenheimer” is a feast for the eyes. Nolan’s use of IMAX cameras brings a level of detail that is simply staggering. Each frame is a work of art, a testament to the power of cinema to transport us to worlds unknown. Well, it’s unfortunate that I am unable to watch this film on IMAX because there’s no IMAX theater in Nepal, However even on normal viewing Nolan’s signature non-linear storytelling is on full display in ‘Oppenheimer’. The narrative oscillates between Oppenheimer’s past and present, drawing parallels and highlighting the transformation of a man under the weight of his creation. The color grading, a mix of stark blacks and whites with splashes of muted color, mirrors the moral landscape of the story. The cinematography, led by Hoyte van Hoytema, is breathtaking. Each frame is a carefully composed painting, a visual feast that complements the narrative’s intensity.
The trinity test is a cinematic tour de force. The explosion, rendered in haunting detail, is a spectacle of light and sound that leaves the viewer in awe and terror. Personally I liked the silence while the bomb exploded, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of a Nolan presentation. It is a moment that encapsulates the paradox of Oppenheimer’s life — the silence of the desert shattered by the birth of a weapon of mass destruction.
Cillian Murphy, as Oppenheimer, delivers a performance that is nothing short of extraordinary. His portrayal of the physicist is a study in contrasts — a man of immense intellect plagued by guilt, a loving father who creates a weapon of unparalleled destruction. Murphy’s Oppenheimer is a man torn between his duty to his country and his responsibility to humanity. The supporting cast, including a standout performance by Emily Blunt as Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty, adds depth and nuance to the narrative. For me, it was Matt Damon who stole the show. His portrayal was a masterclass.
The physics involved in the story is presented with a level of detail that is both informative and accessible. Nolan, ever the stickler for accuracy, ensures that the science does not get lost in the drama. The film does not shy away from the complexities of nuclear physics, but it presents them in a way that is digestible for the lay viewer. The scenes in the Los Alamos laboratory are a testament to this, as they blend scientific jargon with the palpable tension of the race against time. The film’s handling of Albert Einstein’s angle is a masterstroke. It adds a layer of intrigue and depth to the narrative, a subtle nod to the interconnected web of scientific discovery.
To put it, Oppenheimer is not just a movie about the atomic bomb; it is a meditation on the human condition, on the duality of genius and madness, of creation and destruction. The film is a haunting, captivating, and ultimately tragic tale of a man who changed the world, for better or worse. The intellectual sparring of these scientists is so captivating, I could easily lose myself in their debates for hours on end. The second half of this movie totally gave me ’12 Angry Men’ vibes, that old 1957 classic. Nolan really nailed it with this one. I would applaud Nolan for this.
Fun Facts
- Nolan shot this film with IMAX and Panavision cameras
- It’s Nolan’s first R-rated film in over 20 years (last one was Insomnia 2002)
- This is Cillian Murphy’s sixth film with Nolan, as leading man this is his first
- Evil Scarecrow in The Dark Knight Trilogy, Robert Fischer in Inception, and the “Shivering Soldier” in Dunkirk)
- This is the director’s first big-budget movie without Warner Bros.
- Some of the cast didn’t know who they were playing
- Real explosives were used to film nuclear tests, no CGI Blast was real
- It is Nolan’s longest film to date
- While the color scenes are subjective, black-and-white scenes are objective
- The cast lived together in New Mexico
- Tenet star Robert Pattinson gave the director a book containing Oppenheimer’s speeches as a gift, which drove Nolan to make a biopic about the legendary physicist.
- First Film to shoot IMAX Black and White
- The screenplay for “Oppenheimer” was written by Nolan himself
- Matt Damon is common cast of Christopher Nolan(Interstellar, Oppenheimer) & Ridley Scott(The Martian)
- Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy worked together before on ‘A Quiet Place’
What’s Good
- Acting
- Immersive viewing
- Intense Drama
What’s Not Good
- Movie is made for IMAX screens, (Ee don’t have IMAX in Nepal)
- Largely inclined towards Cinephiles
- Florence Pugh’s character
- The Trinity test, the name is inspired by the three faced god Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh
- Presented Full quote” Now I have become Death, the Destroyer Of Worlds” from Bhagwad Geeta in the movie.
Author: Hawrry Bhattarai
