BOTTOM LINE
Lengthy, Yet Intense Drama
OUR RATING
3/5
CENSOR
UA
What Is the Film About?
Oppenheimer is a biopic of an American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer. The movie covers his early days at university to his part in the creation of the bomb. The political repercussions Oppenheimer faces after its creation due to his views form the crux of the overall plot.
Performances
Cillian Murphy essays the title role of Oppenheimer in the movie. One look at him makes it clear that he was born to play the part. The actor essaying a challenging part more than lives up to the expectations and delivers a knock-out performance.
While Cillian Murphy is excellent from the start, he hits it out of the park during the movie’s final hour. The reactions to the bomb explosion (first during the trial and then when dropped in Japan), the speech at its success, and the utterly subtle yet volatile reactions during the closed-room hearings are some of the high points of the mesmerising act by Cillian Murphy.
Analysis
Christopher Nolan directs Oppenheimer. The blockbuster director with a unique vision who is a brand of his own has picked a historical biography this time. It deals with a critical chapter in American history and the world.
Nolan’s mark is seen immediately as the movie opens with the non-linear screenplay. The film progresses in different timelines in the typical style of the director. However, given that the subject is a biopic and a drama, there isn’t much confusion after a few scenes.
The real problem is the ‘content’ itself. The drama, comprised of the entire narrative, entirely sticks to the theme. There is a lot of talk on Quantum Physics, theories, and names of scientists pop up randomly, and this is just the tip of the iceberg as there is the American government agencies’ involvement. So, we have a lot of people from those agencies part of the proceedings and then on top of all this is the political atmosphere of those times involving Communism, Socialism etc.
All these make the narrative dense with all the words flowing around. One has to follow the proceedings keenly to get the hang of things. And they aren’t such that one can ignore them and go on enjoying the drama. Without understanding the first hour and a half, the second hour and a half wouldn’t have the desired impact.
Every thread and act presented initially is beautifully connected and heightened dramatically in the latter half of the movie. The character’s growth and their impact can be felt when things come full circle at the end.
The final one-hour stretch post the bomb blast is the best part of the movie. One can even say it’s the best or at least among the top three of the directed hours in Nolan’s career. The performances lead to a dramatic crescendo and the rising emotions – all peak simultaneously to give that perfect emotionally satisfying end.
In the end, Oppenheimer is more about the politics and aftermath of the bomb explosion than about the making of the bomb or the bomb itself. It helps significantly if one is cued in with the political space and people it depicts.
Overall, Oppenheimer is a lengthy but fast-paced biopic. It is not a film about a bomb explosion but the politics surrounding it featuring the titular character. It is a must-watch for those who love epic dramas with great dialogue and performances.
Performances by Others Actors
Oppenheimer is packed with stars. Even for a small role that appears for a scene or two, we have a known face enacting them. Everyone has done a terrific job, but Robert Downer Jr shines the brightest. It is no doubt his best outing outside the Iron Man movies. Emily Blunt has decent screen time and does well, but the one stunning scene towards the end takes her to the top. Matta Damon and everyone else in this extraordinarily cast epic is reliable, as usual.
Music and Other Departments?
Ludwig Goransson’s background score is spectacular. The central theme rings in our ears even after leaving the hall. It is impactful. The usual complaint of music drowning the dialogues in Christopher Nolan movies doesn’t occur here. The sound mixing is outstanding.
Technically the movie is as solid as any other Nolan project. The cinematography and editing are top-notch. Despite a three hours run time, the film never drags, and simultaneously in spite of different timelines, there is no confusion at all. The writing is first-rate. Much technical jargon is discussed, but they don’t hamper the flow or make the movie dry. They are sharp and to the point, moving quickly without boring and feeling rushed.
Highlights?
Direction
Writing
Casting
Performances
Last Hour
Drawbacks?
Length
Some Deviation During Middle Portions
Content (Not Universal) *
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Oppenheimer Movie Review by M9News
