Nolan is a master storyteller. This was reinforced once again, as a steady downpour battered down, and I watched 'Oppenheimer' last night. To the film's credit, it does not slip into a eulogy of arguably one of the greatest scientists of modern era. Rather, it brings forth Oppenheimer, a man of flaws and fears. The film revolves around the Oppenheimer - Stauss feud, when USA of the 50s and 60s was caught up in the dizzying travails of McCarthyism - the cold war era when anybody and everybody accused of having an iota of contact with communism were shamed and ostracized. And it captures the emotions of a flawed and brilliant scientist who wished to mix Physics with New Mexico and was worried with USA's lack of interest in Quantum Mechanics, who was accused of being - a womanizer, a publicity freak, a Pacifist, a communist sympathizer, a spy.
Cillian Murphy dished out his best portraying a plethora of emotions - pride and passion as a scientist giving way to eventual guilt when he could comprehend the catastrophe his genius launched upon the face of earth. Robert Downey Jr played the role of Lewis Strauss, and impressed as is his wont. The ensemble cast also includes Matt Damon as Lt Gen Groves, who recruited Dr Robert J Oppenheimer to head the Manhattan Project and the Trinity Test, Emilie Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, Alden Ehrenreich as a senate aide, Kenneth Branagh as Prof Niels Bohr, Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock. The 20-minute build up to the countdown and the eventual success of Trinity test is a simply one of the finest moments of storytelling, with an able background score.
Between arraying a great many scientists of modern era and hearings and trails, the film does hold its ground as a gripping tale of drama. Yet, it could have avoided needless controversies and could have a wee bit smaller running time. Oppenheimer is for you if you cherish Nolan and good storytelling.
Oppenheimer (Film, English, Syncopy / Universal Pictures, 2023) by Christopher Nolan
