I had heard the stories. Learnt about the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in school, and the death tolls that shook the world. But I had no idea how J. Robert Oppenheimer would be portrayed in Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Oppenheimer.
I walked out of the cinema with a newfound appreciation for the power of film. Oppenheimer is a great historical drama that also explores the inner workings of one man’s mind. It is a film that will stay with you long after you have seen it.
The film begins with Oppenheimer as a young man, a brilliant student who is drawn to the study of physics. We see him rise through the ranks of the scientific community, and we witness his growing involvement in the Manhattan Project.
The visuals in the film are stunning, and the performances are top-notch. Cillian Murphy gives an amazing performance as Oppenheimer, leading an astoundingly large supporting cast, including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr. However, the film has an impressive parade of cameos as well. (I’d say even more cameos than Avengers, lol)
Let me know how many faces you spotted!
The film uses a combination of black and white and colour to create a striking contrast between Oppenheimer’s inner and outer worlds. The black and white scenes are objective, showing Oppenheimer as he is seen by others. The colour scenes are subjective, showing Oppenheimer’s own perspective.
The film does a masterful job of depicting the journey of the first atomic bomb. From the calculations and theories of the scientists to seeing the bomb set up for the Trinity test, the film takes us on a journey that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
They won’t fear it until they understand it. And they won’t understand it until they’ve used it.” – Oppenheimer
The Trinity scene is particularly well-done. The bright light, the silence, and then the deafening noise that follows are all captured perfectly. It is a moment that is both visually stunning and emotionally powerful.
The film also does a good job of showing the moral dilemma that Oppenheimer faced. He knew that the atomic bomb was a weapon of mass destruction, but he also felt that he had a responsibility to see the project through to completion. This conflict is evident in the Trinity scene, as Oppenheimer recites the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, while watching the bomb detonate.
“The destroyer of worlds.” – from the Bhagavad Gita
Oppenheimer raises important questions about the nature of science, the responsibility of scientists, and the power of destruction. The film is not afraid to ask difficult questions, and it forces us to think about the world in a new way. As the film ends, the depiction of Oppenheimer’s downfall is quite tragic and it shows how a brilliant scientist can be undone by the consequences of his own work.
I left the cinema in a very contemplative and reflective mood after watching Oppenheimer. I even jumped on YouTube when I got home to further research some of the technical elements around the atomic bomb which I had seen in the movie. I hope my Google searches have not alerted national security!
It’s been a while since a biopic has left me wanting to find out more details about a historic event. From the implications of Oppenheimer’s work, to the power of science to both create and destroy, it really got my mind going.
“You don’t get to commit sin, and then ask all of us to feel sorry for you when there are consequences”
I think Oppenheimer is a masterpiece. It is a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Despite the movie being three hours long. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the history of the atomic bomb, or in the moral dilemmas of science. You’ll notice that I describe every part of the film with two feelings. You’re left with a sense of both admiration and unease.
What did you think of the film’s portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer? Was it clear to you why the film used black and white and colour in different scenes? Let me know below!
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