Oppenheimer (2023)

Christopher Nolan is back with his new box office hit Oppenheimer (2023). Based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Bird & Sherwin, 2005), Nolan veteran Cillian Murphy stars as the titular character of the film. Following the life of Oppenheimer, the film focuses on the events that occurred during the Manhattan Project, the Trinity Test and the fallout that Oppenheimer faces by the government and foes that he made along his journey to triumph.

Based on the novel American Prometheus, Nolan begins the film quoting “Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. For this he was chained to a rock and tortured for eternity.” Oppenheimer follows true to the quote in showing how the scientists at the Manhattan Project created something from science and gave it to the Americans to use, since Oppenheimer was top of this project, he was the one who was punished.

At the heart of this beautifully, complicated film – much like Oppenheimer himself – is Cillian Murphy. Taking the complex subject of Oppenheimer, Murphy devoted himself to this project and the results were nothing less than worth it. Through his incredible acting and the directing of Nolan, the film shows the audience how Oppenheimer’s brain was different than that of the average man. His brain followed the mystical, metaphysical and esoteric worlds. He saw the world in different ways to man, and this was shown beautifully through the use of storytelling in Oppenheimer.

Along with Cillian Murphy’s show-stopping performance, he is supported by Robert Downey Junior’s portrayal of Lewis Strauss and Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer. The two actors add stupendous supporting roles to Murphy’s titular Oppenheimer and are worthy of at least Oscar nominations as well.

Much like Oppenheimer himself, the film is complex. The cinematography is, at all levels, beyond impressive and pulled off with the use of 70mm IMAX, as well as 65mm black and white. Just like all Nolan films, the film follows complex structuring and uses lush colour and high contrast black and white to show changes in perspective.

Oppenheimer is a true work of art and deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible, even if you are not able to see it on its 70mm IMAX format. It is my hope that this film, crew and actors make their way to the Academy Awards in 2024.

Photo credits to IMDb