Oppenheimer - A Mesmerizing Journey through History and Conscience

 "Oppenheimer" is a compelling biographical drama that takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster through the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a brilliant physicist whose intellect was both a blessing and a curse. Directed by auteur Christopher Nolan, this film delves deep into the intricacies of Oppenheimer's life, focusing on his pivotal role in the development of the nuclear bomb codenamed "The Manhattan Project" during World War II.

Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1940s, the movie provides an intimate portrayal of Oppenheimer, portrayed masterfully by Cillian Murphy, who developed the atomic bomb to end the war of all wars - not really, but that was the hope-fuel belief at the time. Visually, "Oppenheimer" is a feast for the eyes. The attention to detail in the recreation of the 1940s era is commendable, from the exquisite period costumes to the breathtaking cinematography. The recreation of the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Trinity Test is particularly impressive, evoking a sense of authenticity that transports the audience back in time.

Christopher Nolan is without any doubt one of the most thought-provoking filmmakers in modern society and has risen to directorial fame with his critically acclaimed films like The Dark Knight Trilogy, Dunkirk, and Tenet, with his mind-bending, striking effects, heavily-flawed characters, and original spins on old favorites. He cunningly uses his fast-paced, punchy scripts to deliver a deeper message. And, nine times out of ten, he does so with style. This is why I was a little perturbed when he opened the door to this 1940s-drab world of nuclear science and the ever-scheming world leaders who use scientists and government as their personal hand puppets. 

This time, instead of a lithe, lean, story launching into action, Nolan has created this slow-burning, achingly unraveling behemoth, placing emphasis on style rather than story with a message that is unfortunately swallowed up amid all the drama. 

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his iron-pumping era, "Oppenheimer" flexes its star-studded muscles with an ensemble of supporting actors like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and Robert Downey Jr. (who plays the antagonistic schemer, Lewis Strauss, the apparent puppeteer pulling the strings, forcing J. Robert Oppenheimer to do the unthinkable. But, amid the subterfuge, the political war over this bomb and the question of moral order is sort of the lipstick on the pig (or Trojan horse, if you prefer) as the newfangled bomb is destined to destroy Hiroshima. 

In spite of being a star-studded radioactive sausage, the context of the story and time was crucial, as World War II was raging, and the conflict was escalating on a global scale. The United States, along with its allies, was facing a formidable enemy in Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Both Axis powers were actively pursuing their own nuclear research programs, and there were genuine concerns that they might develop nuclear weapons first.

The decision to build the atomic bomb was driven by the belief that possessing such a weapon could potentially bring an end to the war more swiftly and save countless lives. There was also a concern that if the Axis powers were to develop nuclear weapons first, the consequences for the world would be devastating.

Oppenheimer and his team worked tirelessly to harness the power of nuclear fission, eventually succeeding in creating the first atomic bomb. This culminated in the successful test of the bomb at the Trinity site in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. The foreshadowed subsequent use of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 brought about the end of World War II. The bombings had a profound and far-reaching impact, leading to the surrender of Japan and the conclusion of the war, but also causing immense loss of life and unprecedented destruction.

While the primary point of building the bomb was to contribute to the war effort and end the conflict, the movie "Oppenheimer" delves deeper into the moral dilemmas faced by Oppenheimer and the other scientists involved. It highlights the ethical implications of unleashing such a destructive force upon the world and explores the inner conflict experienced by those who created the bomb, knowing the potentially catastrophic consequences of their invention. The ending scene of Cillian Murphy dropping his head in dismay as Oppenheimer is informed that US forces would use the bomb despite his imploring an arrogant Eisenhower (Robert Downey Jr., who is looking a tad worse for the wear these days, but still plays an awesome schmuck). 

This point, however, may fall on deaf ears due to the film breaking that one golden rule of writing - the economy of words. I will go out on a limb here and say, much to my chagrin, that even The Hobbit Trilogy stuck with that rule. Of course, those movies are four-hour sagas, but at least Bilbo Baggins achieved what he set out to do. Therefore, those movies provide a more satisfying experience than "Oppenheimer." And, because it's a true story and surely there were more than a few liberties taken, it has the appeal of a Wikipedia article. 

The story, of course, playing by the characters' actions and emotions, strikes the sheer sense of dread as the bomb is assembled and tested, reflecting, perhaps, today's society as it dangles at a political Mount Everest. Due to other films like "Joker" and "Little Women", there has been an online backlash against the hyperbolic tones films implicitly express. This isn't my personal concurrency. I am just pointing out that it seems as though we have reached a heightened state in Hollywood as well as society, and I believe that - like any other form of art - movies express societal views of the modern era. 

Reflecting on all the movies I have seen of late, I sense a trending feeling of imminent doom. Perhaps because of the writer strike, or because of streaming services like Netflix beefing up with low-cost films. Whatever the case, I think Hollywood fears that it's going to face its final curtain as little microbudget indie films continue to grow in popularity. Food for thought for them as much as "Oppenheimer" is food for thought for us. 

Despite its unwieldy, heavy-handed moral, I do believe that "Oppenheimer" serves as a telltale with a clear message to be conscientious of who is elected to power and to think critically about our own choices, and how our decisions can have an everlasting impact on the world. The history is there for us to learn from, and - hopefully - not to repeat because, even when we are all on the brink of a nuclear holocaust, we still have the choice to replace weapons with words. 

While "Oppenheimer" is definitely not the best film I have seen, I certainly think it's a must-see, offering insight into America's struggles to end The War of All Wars, the stakes, and the far-reaching effects a single person can possess.