A feature biography from director Christopher Nolan, explores how one man's brilliance, hubris, and relentless drive changed the nature of war forever, led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, and unleashed mass hysteria.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh
Release Date: July 21, 2023
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Rated R for some sexuality, nudity and language
Runtime: 3h 0m
Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is a heady, engrossing biopic that makes a series of conversations feel just as thrilling as any large scale action set piece. Nolan's meticulous eye is laser focused throughout as he unveils a bendy narrative that jumps from two separate time periods and view points. His sweeping visual style is more focused here, taking plenty of time on faces and subtle ruminations from the main characters as they tackle some truly world changing concepts and the repercussions they bring. Cillian Murphy leads the film with a nuanced measured performance that maybe the best of his career. Murphy's hundred yard stare conveys a bevy of emotions as the character carries the weight of the world as his mind juggles through the countless challenges and ultimate ramifications of what his work creates after the fact Nolan uses his faces and expressions on more than a few occasions to communicate a slew of information occasionally without a single line of dialogue being uttered. He's the driving force in the film but he benefits from some truly impressive turns from a stellar supporting cast. Robert Downey Jr. gets the meatiest role as Oppenheimer's post war rival who is trying to secure a cabinet position. Downey Jr. sinks his teeth into the role with impressive ease as he reveals the character's duplicitous nature. His scenes play well in contrast against Murphy's more subdued, internalized sequences. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have smaller supporting roles with each doing the most with their screen time with the latter playing against time with great effect. Florence Pugh is equally solid as Oppenheimer's mistress even if she is a bit young for the role. A slew of other familiar faces pepper the film giving it a rich textured quality, Tom Conti, in particular, is fascinating in his limited screen time as Albert Einstein. Their conversation revealed near the end of the film is particularly revelatory and devastating in its implications. Its these kind of moments that Oppenheimer revels and delivers in a steady stream throughout with the cast and crew all working in top form.
A
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