Christopher Nolan delivers a clever and imaginative masterpiece in Oppenheimer review

Oppenheimer Review: Clever, Imaginative, and Christopher Nolan at His Best

Introduction

In Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Oppenheimer, the acclaimed director delves into the profound and contested legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb.” The film offers a traditionalist’s approach to storytelling, showcasing Nolan’s craftsmanship and cinematic imagination. Oppenheimer is portrayed by the talented Cillian Murphy, who delivers a stellar performance. Robert Downey Jr also shines in his titanic portrayal of Lewis Strauss, the chair of the US Atomic Energy Commission.

A Mathematical Puzzle

Oppenheimer begins in 1943 when Oppenheimer is appointed as the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, the site where the Manhattan Project is working to build an atomic bomb. Initially driven by a moral imperative stemming from his fear as a Jewish man of the Nazis developing such a destructive weapon, Oppenheimer eventually supports the bomb’s deployment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He believes that the devastation caused by the bombs will not only end the war in the Pacific but also put an end to all future wars.

Historians have since debated the necessity of dropping the bombs, suggesting that Japan’s surrender was more influenced by the threat of Soviet invasion. Furthermore, Oppenheimer‘s utopian vision is shattered when fellow scientist Edward Teller and Lewis Strauss push forward with the creation of the even deadlier H-bomb. Despite his attempts to halt the nuclear arms race, Oppenheimer is silenced through anti-Communist hysteria, with his personal associations with the Communist Party used against him.

A Captivating Narrative

Nolan presents these chapters of Oppenheimer‘s life with sickly wonder, aided by Jennifer Lame’s editing work and Ludwig Göransson’s clattering score. The film constructs a non-linear narrative structure, showcasing Oppenheimer‘s post-war betrayal with more focus than his internal struggles or guilt. Large portions of the film have the feel of a political thriller, driven by Robert Downey Jr’s commanding performance as Lewis Strauss.

What sets Oppenheimer apart is Nolan’s commitment to understanding the inner workings of his subject. Oppenheimer‘s denial and avoidance of the horrors caused by the bomb are skillfully displayed by Cillian Murphy, whose performance gradually reveals a brilliant mind torn apart by his own arrogance. Even his personal life, including an extramarital affair, is intertwined with his political and internal struggles, painting a comprehensive picture of the man as a whole.

Lack of Emotional Depth?

While Oppenheimer impresses with its cleverness and attention to detail, it falls short when it comes to exploring the profound emotional depths of its central character. Nolan’s film is self-aware, conscious of cinema’s ability to craft its own reality, but it doesn’t delve into the overwhelming and difficult-to-verbalize emotional space that can truly captivate an audience.

A comparison can be drawn to David Lynch’s depiction of the same A-bomb test in his 2017 limited series Twin Peaks: The Return. Lynch’s approach confronts the audience with the full-scale destruction of the bomb, immersing them in its nightmare. In contrast, Nolan’s depiction focuses more on the wondrous aspects of the bomb, leaving its context relatively unexplored.

Acknowledging Nolan’s Strengths

The prioritization of cleverness in Oppenheimer is not a criticism of Nolan as an artist, but rather a testament to who he is as a filmmaker. Nolan has a penchant for constructing visually stunning sequences that showcase his technical prowess. In Oppenheimer, the detonation of the A-bomb during its first test is portrayed as booming flames in extreme close-up, capturing the primal force behind Oppenheimer‘s creation.

Conclusion

Overall, Oppenheimer is a clever, imaginative, and skillfully crafted film by Christopher Nolan. While it may prioritize intellectual engagement over emotional depth, it offers a thought-provoking exploration of one of the most contentious legacies of the 20th century. Cillian Murphy delivers a remarkable performance as Oppenheimer, capturing the brilliance and downfall of a complex figure. Oppenheimer is a testament to Nolan’s mastery as a filmmaker, even if it doesn’t surpass the emotional resonance achieved by some of his previous works.