Almost the entirety of Oppenheimer is comprised of conversations. The film delves into the academic exchanges between theoretical physicists, the heated discussions among American politicians and military leaders, and the loaded exchanges at panels and Congressional hearings. Director Christopher Nolan, however, rarely allows the protagonist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, to contemplate. When he does, viewers witness the inner workings of Oppenheimer’s mind through swirling particles and smashing neutrons. It’s a mesmerizing yet inscrutable portrayal of the immense power Oppenheimer harnessed during his involvement with the Manhattan Project.
Nolan’s film, based on the biography “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, condenses Oppenheimer’s life into a three-hour running time. It covers his early years as a student and his battles with the government over allegations of communism. The result is a biopic that combines the talkiness of a political drama with the intensity of an action movie, driving the world to the brink of apocalypse through a series of meetings and conversations. Despite its relatively smaller visual scale compared to Nolan’s other films, Oppenheimer showcases the director’s ambition as it explores the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
In many ways, Oppenheimer serves as a fascinating companion piece to Nolan’s other historical film, “Dunkirk,” which depicted the evacuation of Allied troops. While “Dunkirk” focused on complex action set pieces with limited dialogue, Oppenheimer concentrates on the behind-the-scenes figures who worked to end the war without violence. Nolan’s chief fascination lies with Oppenheimer himself, portrayed by Murphy as a grand enigma who balances an icy demeanor with effortless charm. Oppenheimer’s sympathies with leftist causes remain hidden as he takes charge of the Manhattan Project.
The film’s first hour delves into Oppenheimer’s student years and early career as a physicist, introducing notable figures such as Niels Bohr, Ernest Lawrence, and Werner Heisenberg. Their energetic discussions of quantum mechanics and atomic theory emphasize the complexity of their work. While the viewer knows the eventual outcome—the development and detonation of nuclear weapons—the characters in the film remain unaware of the true consequences as they rush to complete the Manhattan Project.
Nolan employs his signature non-linear storytelling technique, shifting between different timelines and perspectives. With meticulous attention to detail, he depicts the hearings that stripped Oppenheimer of his security clearance and dredged up his past associations and complicated personal life. Additionally, Nolan daringly contrasts these sequences with black and white segments focusing on Lewis Strauss, who undergoes a Senate confirmation hearing. These segments exude tension and capture the conservative and paranoid atmosphere surrounding the atomic society Oppenheimer helped establish.
Nolan’s ambition lies in intertwining the many facets of Oppenheimer’s life and the historical context in which he existed. The film captures the race against time to develop nuclear weapons, the moral conflicts that arose, particularly after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the enigmatic nature of Oppenheimer himself. Despite his pleas for peace, Oppenheimer never fully acknowledged the human toll of his invention.
As the film hurtles towards its conclusion, Nolan skillfully maintains the viewer’s attention while exploring Oppenheimer’s complex character. Murphy, with his piercing blue eyes and enigmatic presence, keeps the audience at a distance. Yet, as the weight of his actions accumulates, the film allows reality to crumble around him, making the Trinity bomb test a haunting reminder he can never escape.
While Nolan is renowned for his visually spectacular films, Oppenheimer stands out for its ability to blend a personal narrative with epic proportions. The film addresses past events while resonating with present anxieties about nuclear annihilation. Oppenheimer’s journey from scientific progress to the confronting reality of an amoral world serves as a chilling reminder that echoes into the 21st century.
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