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Syncopy Inc. and Atlas Entertainment’s Oppenheimer (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a biographical thriller. It chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who was instrumental in developing the first nuclear weapon which would go on to change the way wars were fought, and is based on the man’s 2005 biography, American Prometheus, by Kai Bird and Martini J. Sherwin.
The story is pretty interesting not only because of the genius of Oppenheimer but also because of the politics that followed the first nuclear bomb he made. Screenplay writer Christopher Nolan utilises the first half in establishing the making of the atom bomb and the pitfalls in Oppenheimer’s path. It is, therefore, a bit too technical and very verbose. However, all through the drama of the first half, it becomes clear to the audience that the US Atomic Energy Commission’s enquiry instituted to go into the moral values of Oppenheimer would serve a very interesting drama to the audience. The witnesses and their viewpoints are all so engaging that the viewers get completely sucked into the examination and cross-examination business. In other words, the enquiry (which starts in the first half itself) becomes supremely interesting and engaging, making the last half an hour or more of the film extremely entertaining. Scenes of the testing of the atom bomb, shown before that, are equally exhilarating and tension-ridden. All in all, the second half of the drama is far superior to the first half, if only because there is little of the technical discussions and more of the human drama in the second part.
Cillian Murphy does an extraordinary job in the titular role, essaying it with its different shades, to perfection. The cool and composed physicist, yet driven by angst and passion, the family man who falters when he sleeps with his mistress, the human who, in a way, regrets his own invention which has made him into a world hero… the actor does all that with such honesty and integrity that you marvel at his performance. Emily Blunt may have a much smaller role as his wife, Kitty, but she is outstanding too, especially in the scene of her examination by the AEC. Matt Damon delivers a solid performance as Leslie Groves. Robert Downey Jr. creates a fantastic impression in the role of Lewis Strauss. Florence Pugh stands her own as Oppenheimer’s mistress, Jean Tatlock. Josh Hartnett provides good support as Ernest Lawrence. Casey Affleck has his moments as Boris Pash. Rami Malek makes a superb impression as David Hill. Kenneth Branagh is lovely in the role of Niels Bohr. Dylan Arnold (as Frank Oppenheimer) is good. Tom Conti lends lovely support as Albert Einstein. Jack Quaid (as Richard Feynman) is lovely. Tony Goldwyn (as Gordon Gray) stands his own. Gary Oldman impresses as Harry S. Truman. James Remar is natural as Henry Stimson. Alden Ehrenreich is good as the Senate aide. David Dastmalchian (as William Borden), Matthew Modine (as Bush), David Krumholtz (as Rabi), Gustaf Skarsgård (as Hans Bethe), Benny Safdie (as Edward Teller), Michael Angarano (as Robert Serber), Josh Peck (as Kenneth Bainbridge), Olivia Thirlby (as Lilli Hornig), Dane Detlaan (as Kenneth Nichols), Jason Clarke (as Roger Robb), James D’Arcy (as Patrick Blackett), Devon Bostick (as Seth Neddermeyer), Alex Wolff (as Luis Walter Alvarez), Scott Grimes (as the counsel), Matthias Schweighöfer (as Heisenberg), Guy Burnet (as George Eltenton), Louise Lombard (as Ruth Tolman), Harrison Gilbertson (as Philip Morrison), Emma Dumont (as Jackie Oppenheimer), Macon Blair (as Llyod Garrison), Harry Groener (as Gale McGee), Gregory Jbara (as Warren Magnuson), Tim DeKay (as John Pastore) and James Urbaniak (as Kurt Gödel) lend formidable support.
Christopher Nolan’s direction is exemplary. Although the first half is too full of technical jargon and is very verbose, the second half has a phenomenal human drama which more than makes up for the dialogue-heavy and technical first half. Ludwig Göransson’s background music is fantastic. Hoyte Van Hoytema’s cinematography is extraordinary. Some scenes have been shot in IMAX. Jennifer Lame’s editing is sharp and crisp. Dubbing is excellent.
On the whole, Oppenheimer is a sureshot box-office winner for the engaging human drama in the second half.
Released on 21-7-’23 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: excellent. Opening: expected to be bumper, going by the advance booking. …….Also released all over.