“Oppenheimer: A Flawed yet Ambitious Epic on the Atom Bomb”

Oppenheimer Review: Flawed yet Extraordinary

Date: Wed 19 Jul 2023

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The Enormoz Epic

In Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Oppenheimer, the director takes on the immense task of exploring the Manhattan Project and the life of J Robert Oppenheimer. With grandeur and audacity, Nolan creates a gigantic and post-detonation study of the project, delving deep into the shattered dreams and haunted memories of its brilliant driving force.

The Agonizing Success

In Oppenheimer, Nolan focuses on the most agonizing aspect of the project, the terrifying first demonstration of the atom bomb – the Trinity nuclear test in July 1945. Oppenheimer, played with eerie resemblance by Cillian Murphy, is depicted silently pondering Vishnu’s lines from the Bhagavad-Gita: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

Nolan succeeds in capturing the overwhelming magnitude of this moment without resorting to mere action stunts. However, the film does fall short in its failure to adequately portray the Japanese experience and the suffering of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While Nolan moves back and forth in time, exploring Oppenheimer‘s beginnings and later disillusionment, he neglects to fully delve into the repercussions of the bombings.

Brilliance and Torment

Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of J Robert Oppenheimer is commendable, capturing the physicist’s sense of solitude and emotional imprisonment. Murphy’s million-yard stare, complemented by his trademark hat and pipe, effectively conveys Oppenheimer‘s brilliance and inner turmoil.

A Stellar Cast

Alongside Murphy, the star-studded cast adds depth to the film. Matt Damon impresses as the boorish military minder Lt Gen Richard Groves, while Kenneth Branagh brings geniality to the role of Oppenheimer‘s mentor, Niels Bohr. Robert Downey Jr shines as the duplicitous chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Lewis Strauss, and Florence Pugh delivers a moving performance as Jean Tatlock, Oppenheimer‘s lover.

Emily Blunt’s portrayal of Oppenheimer‘s wife, Kitty, is equally compelling. However, it must be noted that Nolan’s decision to cast non-Jewish actors in the roles of Oppenheimer and Einstein fails to fully grasp the antisemitism Oppenheimer faced.

An Uneven Focus

Oppenheimer‘s primary flaw lies in its uneven focus. While it delves deeply into Oppenheimer‘s life and torment, it neglects to adequately explore the larger historical context. The film’s concentration on Oppenheimer is indeed fascinating, but it often sidelines the larger historical point. The decision to stay with Oppenheimer himself, even during the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leaves the audience yearning for a broader perspective.

A Haunting Encounter

One of the most poignant moments in Oppenheimer occurs during the postwar encounter between Oppenheimer and President Harry S Truman in the Oval Office. Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Truman showcases the tension between the two men, as Oppenheimer seeks absolution from the president. Truman, angry and baffled, reminds Oppenheimer of his own responsibility and asks a crucial question: Do the Japanese care who made the bomb? They only want to know who dropped it.

The Tragic Irrelevance

In the end, Oppenheimer is a tragic figure, lost amidst the kaleidoscopic mass of broken glimpses. Nolan explores how the US’s governing class couldn’t forgive Oppenheimer for making them lords of the universe, unable to tolerate being indebted to this liberal intellectual. The film leaves us contemplating the sacrificial hero-worship of the American century.

Conclusion

Oppenheimer, flawed as it may be, is an extraordinary film that delves deep into the tortured psyche of J Robert Oppenheimer and the weight of his creation. Christopher Nolan’s ambitious project captures the immense power of the atom bomb and the moral dilemmas it presents. However, its singular focus on Oppenheimer comes at the expense of a broader exploration of the Japanese experience and the consequences of the bombings. Nonetheless, Oppenheimer is a thought-provoking and visually stunning film that deserves recognition for its ambition and grandeur.