Oppenheimer | Average Guy Movie Review

Christopher Nolan's epic biopic proves to be a beautifully chaotic examination of a brilliant but complicated man. Warts and all, so to speak. Based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the storytelling jumps back and forth through several periods in history, in ways that feel random, to show us how Oppenheimer became the "father of the Atomic Bomb", as well as the effect his work at Los Alamos had on him and his eventual fall from grace. And yet somehow it all pieces together perfectly. The movie should feel jumbled, but it unravels the man's story smoothly. It simply flows in a way that makes it as gripping as it is fascinating.

But it would be nothing - well, nearly nothing - without the incredible cast that brings this story to life. So much so that the passions of all those involved at Los Alamos - however misguided - are almost palpable. It is a mammoth cast, filled with famous names and great talent, it's any director's dream. Every member is on top of their game and then some. This is especially so of Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., who deliver possibly the best performances of their careers. Although Matt Damon delivers my favourite performance of the movie, as General Leslie Groves, a very matter of fact soldier and engineer stuck with a rather unenviable task, one akin to herding some highly intelligent and (very) opinionated cats.

Thanks to Hoyte Van Hoytema, the movie truly is a feast for the eyes! Everything from the locations, to the visions that plagued the man, and the result of his work - the famous trinity test - are, quite simply, awe-inspiring. Nolan is well known for his ability to weave grandiose but intricate narratives, and unsurprisingly, his visual style lends itself very well to Oppenheimer's story. By focusing on the man rather than the development of the atomic bomb itself, he is able to convey the gravity of the man’s work and what it meant for the world, as well as his hopes for what such destructive force could bring about, and the global tumult that its creation was born out of. Quite simply, the way everything comes together so perfectly, set to Ludwig Göransson's incredible score, it's captivating.

The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer is brought to life in this beautifully chaotic biopic. Another epic vision from Christopher Nolan.

10/10

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