Pros:
1.) All of the actors did a fantastic job in their roles, but the lead actor, Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, is this film’s stand-out actor. He can play a scientist highly motivated by quantum physics, concentrated on creating the atomic bomb, and dreaded the aftermath of his creation. You can see his fantastic performance mainly through his eyes, especially when he looks soulless after realizing what he has created. Cillian Murphy deserves praise for his role alongside his other cast members.
2.) I love the build-up to the atomic bomb. From cut-away shots of explosions due to Oppenheimer’s visions to the scientists planning and creating the bomb, the escalation is amazing. It is a slow burn, but the slow pacing is worth it when the inevitable explosion is shown. When that atomic explosion occurs, it is a glorious (or in this case, horrifying) sight to behold. The slow build-up and pacing were worth it…
3.) …The biggest reason why is the fantastic writing. Firstly, the film shows Oppenheimer learning as a student and becoming a professor, becoming involved in the Manhattan Project, and forcing to be part of several trials after World War II. As those occur, the writing made sure you know what Oppenheimer is thinking (with the help of Cillian Murphy’s performance) while going through many parts of his compelling life from his politics to his scientific work. Though it is written in Christopher Nolan’s non-linear fashion, it is easy to follow for the most part, and I think this is one of his best writings (and directorial) in films ever made…
Cons:
1.) …That being said, I can see issues that some people will have with the writing and pacing. This film is 3 hours long, and you are going to feel it. Certain scenes can be a bit tedious at times like Oppenheimer’s affair with Jean Tatlock (played by Florence Pugh) or some of the trial scenes with Oppenheimer and Lewis Strauss (played by Robert Downey Jr.). In fact, after a certain point, I was surprised that the film kept going for a little while longer. Maybe if certain scenes are shorter or removed, I would consider this film a masterpiece.
2.) I should have pointed this out in my Tenet review, but I assumed that was my theater and I eventually learned that everyone was experiencing this: the voice audio is inconsistent at times. For some reason, Christopher Nolan occasionally mixes his audio where it is hard to hear what the characters are saying because the music or other sound effects are overlapping the voices. Here is an audio lesson: unless it is on purpose, the voices should be clear and loud enough for the audience to hear. I thought Nolan knows this, but for some reason, he does not want to do this sometimes. It is not as bad as in Tenet, but it is noteworthy.
Overall:
J. Robert Oppenheimer is one of the most compelling men in science and history due to his creation of the atomic bomb. The aftermath of his own creation shows him becoming soulless as evident in this video:
With such a huge weight on his shoulders for what he has done, there must be something interesting about him. Fortunately, a film about Oppenheimer was created by one of my favorite film directors: Christopher Nolan. I have been looking forward to this for a long time (especially with the latest trailer hyping it up more), and while it may not be Nolan’s best film, it certainly is close to being one. If you wanted to look into the mind, creativity, and guilt of J. Robert Oppenheimer, this film is the best representation of him as far as I know. If you are not interested in watching a three-hour film about the man who created a weapon that can potentially destroy the world, the Barbie movie is your next bet. This film is fantastic enough that not only ends with a bang but also a whimper…and Christopher Nolan made it work.
9/10
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