Oppenheimer Review

Oppenheimer follows the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer as he journeys from young university student, to the head of the Manhattan Project, through the post World War II era. Filled with a star studded cast, this film does not disappoint in it’s acting prowess, technical beauty, or storytelling. Many are calling this Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece, and I can’t say I disagree.

Christopher Nolan takes actors who are arguably at the top of their fields and pushes them to new acting heights. Cillian Murphy, J. Robert Oppenheimer, is well known for his acting prowess in roles such as Peaky Blinders where he plays a ruthless mob boss who is so cunning, the audience roots for him. Nolan pushes him to a deeper level as Oppenheimer. Murphey shows an arrogance that audiences haven’t really seen from him before, humor, and then turns on a dime to show the weight that being the “Father of the Atomic Bomb” brings on a person.

Emily Blunt, Kitty Oppenheimer, is a beloved household name known for acting range. From The Devil Wears Prada to Edge of Tomorrow Emily Blunt has a range that is not shared by many. As Kitty, Blunt shows a new side as the alcoholic wife of Oppenheimer. Where Oppenheimer is often stuck in his head thinking about the universe, Kitty suffers through the real world and deals with the world through anger and drinking. While an amazing actress, this would not be a role immediately thought of as an “Emily Blunt” role as it lacks some of the charm she is known for. But she excels with deft. Through Blunt, Kitty becomes a sympathetic character that audiences can see pieces of themselves in. While many members of the cast will be eligible for awards this awards season, Blunt may have secured the “Best Supporting Actress” so far, bar none.

The standout performance however goes to one Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, one of the original members of the U.S.  Atomic Energy Commission of 1946. In the film, he is also under congressional interview for the Secretary of Commerce position. Post 2000s, Downey is so well known for his charisma as Tony Stark in Iron Man that many forget that he is still a phenomenal actor. In an interview, Downey explains that Nolan told him to take everything that has made him successful as an actor for the last twenty years, the charisma, quips, and charm, and to throw it out. And audiences are glad he did. Downey’s role as Strauss reminds audiences that he is a serious actor, capable of range and depth. In the third act of the film, Downey is seemingly being thwarted in his quest to become Secretary by Oppenheimer, despite Oppenheimer being under investigation for his ties to Communism. In this scene it is revealed that Downey’s character orchestrated the investigation himself due to a comment Oppenheimer made years before, which he took as a slight. Downey then goes on to rage his frustrations to his underlings and question why he is still having issues when he has seemingly taken care of the Oppenheimer issue. This scene is frighteningly brilliant. Earlier, Downey says “Power stays in the shadows”, showing just how cunning and tactful he is. To see all his hard work being rendered useless, pushes him to reveal who he truly is to his underlings. This angry breakdown shows a new side to Downey’s acting prowess as, for the first time in twenty years, the audience is truly terrified of him. 

Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt as J. Robert Oppenheimer and Kitty Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer (2023)

While Oppenheimer can be considered a cinematic biopic, it is truly a story of consequences; both learning what those consequences are and how to live with them. Those in the 21st century have an understanding of how dangerous an atomic bomb can be, but for those in World War II, blinded by the fog of war, they had no such understanding when they started out. While the atomic bomb is the big consequence of the film, Nolan also focuses on following Oppenheimer as he learns consequences personally. While generally known as the “Father of the Atomic Bomb”, Oppenheimer was also known in his day as a womanizer. So much so that even after marrying his wife Kitty, he still kept an affair going with Jean Tatlock, Florence Pugh. Because of this affair, Kitty is pushed towards alcoholism to cope, and Jean eventually takes her own life due to loneliness, greatly affecting Oppenheimer. Through these women, Oppenheimer slowly learns that his actions don’t only affect him, but also those around him. 

Oppenheimer was also known for his intellectual curiosity, both to his credit and detriment. In the 1940s, there were many US based groups interested in Communism. While Oppenheimer never joined the group, he did often go to meetings and was inadvertently involved due to his relationship with Jean, a member of the organization. These relationships affected him both during and after the war. He almost misses out on being a part of the Manhattan Project due to his association, and is only accepted due to his necessity in the project. Post war, Strauss is able to use Oppenheimer’s association with Communism to spread doubt in the government, resulting in him losing his clearance level, being put under investigation, and being ostracized for years. 

Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy as Jean Tatlock and J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer (2023)

These small consequences build to the climax of the second act, the successful detonation of the atomic bomb test. During war times, extreme measures are easily justified in the name of winning and defense. Throughout the development of the bomb, only a few people questioned what they may be unleashing on the world. Even Oppenheimer didn’t start to question it until they had almost completed the bomb. However, after the test bomb is detonated, while the entire project cheers and celebrates, the true weight of what he has created dawns on Oppenheimer. To him, pounding feet and cheers quickly become bombs detonating and people screaming. The audience witnesses in real time Oppenheimer’s mental state moving from elation to horror. Nolan uses consequences to point to Oppenheimer’s growth as a character and person. First learning how his actions affect others in his personal life, to then how his brilliance affected the world. Through these consequences, Oppenheimer dedicates the rest of his life to trying to stop future generations from having to bear witness to his greatest accomplishment.

 Oppenheimer is being considered as Christopher Nolan’s greatest film, over taking the iconic The Dark Knight. And I am inclined to agree. Nolan has a unique skill as a director, he is able to bring greatness and turn it into brilliance. Not only is a masterclass set of actors pushed to new levels under his guidance, but also everyone else around him. Everything from the music, to sound design, to practical and visual effects are pushed to new limits to bring audiences a world class experience.