Review of Oppenheimer (2023) by Random-Dude — 26 Jul 2023

A really captivating biopic by Nolan, featuring the best and worst of what Nolan's style of directing has to offer. A movie that isn't afraid to let the audience think for themselves, and offers no ready answers to the moral and ethical dilemmas presented. The film did not come into any conclusions for you wheter or not Oppenheimer was truly remorseful and to what extent - nor if he should be.

The non-linear storytelling was easy and logical to follow, science was made easy to understand. Historical accuracy was on point, and the movie paid great attention to the global geopolitical situation that guided the urgency for creating an atomic bomb. The ramifications of what this group of scientists achieved will be felt by all future generations, and I enjoyed the trust put on audiences; how there was no handholding in pointing out how and why that is. A lesser director would've painted scenes of potential disastrous outcomes just to shove this point across.

Sadly, Oppenheimer as an individual did not receive such a deep analysis in this film, more emphasis was put onto his legacy and title as the Father of the Atomic Bomb. We did not see how he was as a friend or a father, and the glimpses we saw him as a husband was based on the limited historical facts that weren't expanded upon. Very bare bones writing on the human aspects of characters, but it was elated by a stellar cast. In true Nolan style, the characters were clinical and the focus was on their intellectuality rather than their humanity. Makes sense in a movie focusing so heavily on the science, but what truly would connect an audience to characters is the glimpse we might see into the very human soul behind all their achievements.

The visual were magnificent. Stylistic choices were well-thought and elevated the storytelling. The mixture of black-and-white with colour worked supremely well, as well as the stylized scenes whenever we jumped into a Oppenheimer's point of view. A very down to earth style of film, simple without needless pomp where it wasn't necessary. That simplicity made the actual bomb scene stand out all the more.

For me, the audio design was the star of this movie. So much to read to in the audio, and propably need another 2 viewings to properly appreciate it in words. The audio mixing is also the best yet in a Nolan film. His films are notorious for being so full of sound that the dialogue is drowned out (I'm looking at you, Tenet!). But in this film there was only one part where dialogue was hard to hear clearly, and that was the first few minutes of the film.

Wish I could give this a 9,5. For me, it's not quite worth a 10, but 9 seems inadequate.