27. OPPENHEIMER (2023)

 

Language: English

Genre: Biography/History

“ Mr. Robert, This is yours, not mine”

“Mr. President, there is blood in my hands”

Perhaps these two exchanges can aptly sum up the Christopher Nolan-directed film Oppenheimer, which delves deeply into the mind of J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is regarded as the father of the atomic bomb.  With this movie, Nolan forays into the realm of the old-school "biography" and introduces his trademark "time-play" by exploring Oppenheimer's rise to success and its aftermath through distinctive timelines in a non-linear manner. Oppenheimer is variously portrayed as a troubled genius, a successful modern-day science crusader, and a guilt-ridden modern-day Messiah who tries to atone for his wrongdoings. 

Similar to the title character, the overall plot of the film is not only restricted to a mere biography, but shifts its identity to  a trial room drama, and even to a psychological drama. A spiritual undertone is added to the overall story by Nolan's excellent use of religious metaphors throughout the film. 

With its superb cinematography and sound design, "Oppenheimer" can also take pride in its technical prowess. The use of silence in one of the movie's most crucial scenes is a prime example of how to add nuances to the execution of such scenes, and there are many examples that demonstrate these subtleties. 

The actors' performances—to name just a few: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon—are where the film really shines. It is not surprising if Cillian Murphy wins the Oscar for best actor in a leading role next year, who added more layers to the titular character with his performance, rather than restricting himself in to the written material.

Due to the dialogue-heavy nature of the film and its scientific subject matter, it demands your full attention and may necessitate some pre-screening preparation on your part. A prior understanding of world history, particularly that pertaining to World War 2, is also necessary in order to fully comprehend the events in the film. Considering these facts, the movie won't be palatable for a huge section of audience, who demands constant thrills or mind bending twists in every frame,

Neither Oppenheimer can be considered as the best work of Nolan nor it is the best biopic of all time, at least in my opinion.   However, Nolan's overall strategy and vision make it an engaging watch that necessitates a theatre viewing experience. 

My opinion : RECOMMENDED