Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster, Oppenheimer, has garnered immense praise from both critics and viewers. With its opening weekend earnings amounting to a staggering $80 million, the film has undeniably made a significant impact. However, amidst the positive reception, there are some who express dissatisfaction.
Audiences worldwide have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment with the portrayal of female characters in the movie. One viewer criticized the film, stating, “The women of Oppenheimer. Boobs, babies, and a bit of booze. Bring the washing in dear. They may as well have been blow-up dolls.” These negative comments primarily revolved around how the female characters were written and depicted.
Oppenheimer delves into the intricate story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the leader of the Manhattan Project, a team responsible for building the world’s first atomic bomb. Starring Cillian Murphy in the titular role and featuring an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh, the film marks a significant milestone for director Christopher Nolan as it includes a sex scene for the first time in his films. Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Jean Tatlock, an American psychiatrist engaged in an affair with Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer, has drawn attention.
However, many individuals were left dissatisfied with Oppenheimer’s representation of the real women who influenced the man responsible for creating such a significant weapon. Christopher Nolan previously acknowledged his apprehension and careful approach to filming the scenes involving Pugh and Murphy.
One noteworthy point raised by social media users is that Oppenheimer fails the Bechdel test, which assesses the presentation of women in film and other works of fiction. The test requires at least two named women characters to engage in a conversation unrelated to men. Many individuals flocked to social media platforms to criticize Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh’s characters, questioning Nolan’s ability to develop female characters.
Some disgruntled viewers pointed out that Oppenheimer predominantly unfolds through an unreliable narrator who perceives the women in his life as nothing more than “hysterical set dressings.” It is only later that this narrator realizes the fallacy of this perception, with Kitty being the character that serves as the closest thing to a hero, according to one viewer.
Others resorted to sarcasm, with one individual stating, “Oppenheimer featured all three types of women! A young lover who’s an unstable communist, an alcoholic wife with a sharp tongue, and a plucky lady scientist struggling against societal barriers in her quest to create a bomb.”
Some Twitter users took a more critical stance, expressing disappointment in how Oppenheimer portrayed women solely for the purpose of releasing the protagonist’s tension. However, not everyone condemned the film, dismissing the criticism as “woke behavior.”
Amidst the debate, Emily Blunt’s character, Kitty Oppenheimer, received mixed remarks for her portrayal and troubled relationship with alcohol. Although viewers had varying opinions on the portrayal of women in the film, not everyone believed it warranted such complaints.
Dr. Tanya Roth, an expert on women’s history, took to Twitter to express her critique of Oppenheimer’s lack of female representation within the initial minutes of the movie. She also pointed out the limited presence of people of color throughout the film. Christopher Nolan defended the film’s inclusion of sex scenes, emphasizing their essential role in establishing the relationship between Oppenheimer and Tatlock, given the latter’s affiliation with the American Communist Party and the subsequent suspicion of Oppenheimer’s ties to Soviet espionage.
In conclusion, while Oppenheimer has enjoyed tremendous success and praise, there have been contrasting perspectives on the portrayal of its female characters. Social media platforms have become a battleground for heated debates, with individuals expressing dissatisfaction or defending the film’s choices.
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