Review - Oppenheimer (2023)

         Hey guys, Chuck here. Oppenheimer is the newest film from writer-director Christopher Nolan, and is produced by his production company Syncopy. The film marks the first time since Insomnia with Al Pacino and Robin Williams that Nolan has produced a film with an R-rating, and is the first Nolan film I, myself, saw in a theater in eleven years, with the last one being The Dark Knight Rises. 

        So, the movie tells the story of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, and it tells the many aspects of his life both before and after the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. This includes his time abroad, his various associations with many scientists across the world, including Albert Einstein, his affair with Jean Tatlock, his ties with many members of the Communist Party, his marriage to his wife Katherine, and the years put into developing and building the atomic bomb in a race against the Nazis. And, while not shown in the film itself, they do speak on the deployment of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II. And, of course, the movie also gets into the multitude of trials and tribulations that Oppenheimer faced as he began to advocate in opposition of further development of nuclear weapons, including the development and construction of the hydrogen bomb, fearing further escalation between the United States and Soviet Union. 

         Now, many have praised Christopher Nolan as a modern master of cinema. And, I think that with Oppenheimer, that is a gross understatement. Because, with Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan showcases that he is a modern master of cinematic artistry. The way he sets up the sets, including an amazing recreation of the Los Alamos facility, the way he frames scenes, in particular the Trinity test, and the way he showcases the innermost fears of Oppenheimer himself, it's not just cinema. It's a masterpiece of cinematic art. This, in addition to Nolan's writing and storytelling, not just in the preparation and development of the atomic bomb, but assembling Los Alamos, recruiting all of the scientists behind the project, and the political back and forth in the aftermath of the Trinity test and deployment on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Oppenheimer's growing opposition of further development of nuclear weapons, and the growing threat of McCarthyism in America. 

        And, that's not to shortchange the impressive cast that Christopher Nolan has assembled for this movie. Leading the charge are absolutely master class performances by Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, Matt Damon as General Groves, and Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss. All three are at the top of their game here, and I would be SHOCKED if Cillian Murphy doesn't get nominated for an Oscar with this movie. Also in major roles include both Emily Blunt as Katherine Oppenheimer and Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock. Both ladies are fantastic, an deserve every amount of praise they can get. 

       Nolan also assembled a fantastic supporting cast, which includes the likes of Josh Hartnett, Tom Conti, Jason Clarke, Emma Dumont, David Krumholtz, Josh Peck, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Dane DeHaan, Casey Affleck, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Modine, Jefferson Hall, Alex Wolff, and Jack Quaid. And, every single one of them gave absolutely fantastic, awards worthy performances. Heck, with his role in this movie, I am amazed at how far Josh Peck has come in his career, going from that goofy kid from The Amanda Show to an absolutely amazing actor in genres outside of just comedy. And, I have to give major credit to a nearly unrecognizable Gary Oldman as President Truman. 

         I was, quite honestly, amazed by the visual effects, especially when it came to the Trinity test scene in the movie. Honestly, on top of the brilliant writing by Christopher Nolan, masterful directing by Christopher Nolan, the outstanding performances by the cast of film, and the brilliant film score composed by Ludwig Göransson, the masterful sound mixing and sound editing, this movie NEEDS to be seen in a movie theater just for the Trinity test scene alone. Now, two things of note. First, the movie clocks in at three hours in length and very heavy in dialogue, but every single minute is worth it. Second, there are a few scenes of nudity involving both Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh, so be aware of that going in. 

        But, ultimately, I think John Campea just put it best. This is, unquestionably, Christopher Nolan's magnum opus. This movie will absolutely be an EXTREMELY strong contender at the Oscars, and deservedly so. It is, for that reason, that I'm giving Oppenheimer a rating of 5/5. Go see this movie, it is absolutely worth it. 

          Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off. Thanks for checking out this review, and I'll see you guys later.