Christopher Nolan is the last of a dying breed of filmmakers. Whether it be the marketing surrounding each of his films, the performances, or the lack of CGI, his movies always feel like a major Hollywood moment. And with the current state of the world and the various technologies at our disposal, Oppenheimer is all the more significant.
The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer chronicles the life of the “Father of the A-Bomb,” and the aftermath of creating such a weapon.
Starring Cillian Murphy, among an absolutely absurd ensemble around him, Oppenheimer is, and I don’t say this lightly, a masterpiece. It feels like Christopher Nolan’s films always have an aura about them, and Oppenheimer is no exception. World War II has always been a fascinating subject, and Christopher Nolan manages to craft a narrative that feels entirely unique and untold. Where does one even begin?
Make no mistake, Oppenheimer is an incredibly dense and heavy film. The idea of creating a weapon of mass destruction is certainly weighty. Coupled with the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of unknowns surrounding the science, one can’t help but feel hilariously helpless. Boasting a three-hour runtime, the film never feels as though it is dragging along, but instead feels like it is building to the ultimate finale.
Cillian Murphy stars as the destroyer of worlds himself, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and delivers an absolutely sensational performance, carrying the weight of the world (and the film) on his shoulders throughout almost every scene. Robert Downey Jr. stands out just as much in his refreshing dramatic role, impressively complementing Murphy’s portrayal. Emily Blunt, though less present, leaves a powerful impact with a memorable scene opposite the underrated Jason Clarke. Matt Damon’s portrayal of General Groves is fantastic, portraying palpable hesitation and conflicting ideologies in a riveting manner. Josh Hartnett’s genuine surprise of a performance is infectious, and Tim DeKay’s appearance is a pleasant addition.
As I mentioned before I gushed about the cast, this film is incredibly dense, but it doesn’t feel that way. The film coasts along its daunting runtime, never feeling slow or drawn out. The subject matter, on the other hand, definitely takes a toll on you. The sheer enormity and stakes of the endeavor feel tangible, and not for one second was I looking forward to experiencing the much-hyped detonation. Instead, I was transported into Oppenheimer’s thoughts and actually grew to dread the fateful Trinity Test (and I say that with the utmost respect).
Oppenheimer excels in its technical brilliance, masterfully brought to life by the talented team of director Christopher Nolan, cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, and editor Jennifer Lame. Using IMAX cameras throughout, Hoyte van Hoytema captures breathtaking detail and scale, transporting us to the heart of Los Alamos’ innovation. Jennifer Lame expertly weaves together the multiple characters, time frames, and crucial moments, enhancing our understanding of the film and its subject, J. Robert Oppenheimer. All of this comes together under the brilliant direction of Christopher Nolan, who crafts such a massive and, as I’ve mentioned numerous times throughout, intimate account of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life and his life’s work. As strange as it feels to say, Nolan continues to make monumental leaps in his storytelling abilities. Whereas films like Inception, The Dark Knight, and Interstellar all feel unique and are masterpieces of their own, Oppenheimer feels like his magnum opus—as though everything he previously worked on has led to this. And it doesn’t disappoint.
Much has been written and tweeted (x’d?) about the feeling one has as the credits begin to roll, and trust me when I tell you, they aren’t making it up. I luckily had some water left over when the film concluded, and I definitely needed it. The final moments of the film are haunting and left me with a feeling of doom, in the best (and worst) way possible. The prospect of nuclear war seems entirely foreign to a man of my generation, but the fear and uncertainty that many faced during the months and years following the first detonation remained a palpable feeling. I still cannot get the final sequence out of my head.
Oppenheimer is a masterpiece. Christopher Nolan continues to prove why he is not only one of the most interesting directors working in the world today but also one of the most important. His commitment to practicality and scale completely make the film, with every single scene and character movement feeling entirely necessary and essential. Add the absolutely stellar performances by the likes of Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and the rest of the cast, and you have, well, a masterpiece. And I can’t wait to see it again.
Rating: 5/5
From Letterboxd: Rode home in silence. Stopped to get gas. Wrong side.