No. 55 (2023) OPPENHEIMER. UNITED ARTIST'S INC. Preview July 18th.

 

Film No. 55  (2023)  July 16th.  6:45 PM  EVENT CINEMAS,  VMAX Cine 1,  Whitfords.

"Why? Why? How about because this is the most important thing to happen in the history of the world!" (Lt General Leslie Groves lets fly as he and Oppenheimer try to recruit a potential scientist who inquired as to why his participation in The Project is important).

NOMINEE: The Most Anticipated Film (Christopher Nolan) Hollywood Critics Mid-Season Awards. 

So, a warning re this brilliant film; don't be fatigued or "slightly off your game" when you attend. If you ignore this warning, the 3 hour run time, the information you'll need to absorb and Nolan's signature time swivel tropes could make your cinema visit a trial. But, let me tell you, OPPENHEIMER is an outstanding film for all sorts of reasons. All sorts!!

IMDB's introductory summary of the film goes: "The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb". There are no untruths here, but the depths to which Nolan takes us in relation to J Robert's brilliance both intellectually and emotionally, mean that, this statement simply does not do the film justice. The description may give an unsuspecting viewer the impression that it may be a biopic of the, "colour by numbers" variety however this is no "tick the boxes" tale.

I read that the film represents Nolan's interpretation of Oppenheimer's passion for science, his two key loves (wife Kitty and lover Jean), his relationships with The President, Senator Lewis Strauss and General Lesley Groves, and then finally, his compassionate composure and the reaction of U.S. government agencies to his connections to communism. Well, the film uses techniques to exemplify all of these themes, but I believe the facts were precisely that, not Nolan's tampering's . The film used the book, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin as its foundation for fact. President Truman calling Oppenheimer a "pussy" as J Robert left the oval office after their first meeting may have been added for dramatic purposes, but the facts, over all, stand up. 

Names like Senator Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr), Albert Einstein (Tom Conti), Klaus Fuchs (Christopher Denham) and  Niels Bohr (Kenneth Branagh)  all feature on screen in key dramatic moments shaping J Edward's story. But no one compares with Cillian Murphy's, Oppenheimer. Murphy is in close up often. His lean, blue-eyed features reflect a vulnerability so important to the gravity of who and what this man was. Murphy is surely the early frontrunner for an individual Oscar gong in 2024. The fact a 46 year old actor captures the 12 year time phase changes (a Nolan signature) so convincingly, it's testament to his talent.  

My 300 odd words here, hardly do this dense film justice . If 181 minutes is simply too long, no matter the subject (particularly if the subject is the tale of how a weapon of mass destruction  comes to be).  Or if a reminder of why U.S. politics reeks of nepotism and corruption bores you. Or if battling through another Nolan maze of time adjustments is not your "cup of tea", then don't go. But if this piece of American history holds some interest, Chris Nolan is one of your favourite film makers, or you simply wouldn't miss a cinematic masterclass for "quids", you'd better line up for a ticket. The biggest screen near you will present your best value.    11GUMS.