Cillian Murphy as 'Oppenheimer' (Images by Universal Pictures)

Writer-director Christopher Nolan delivers a lengthy but oh-so satisfying biopic about a man whose contributions to the human species is as profound and as frightening as they possibly could get. Though not exactly a household name for this generation, J. Robert Oppenheimer holds a unique place in the history of all mankind, having the decidedly unenviable distinction of being the “Father of the Atomic Bomb”. This and the fact that his most famous interview had him quoting Hindu scripture saying “Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds.” Pretty much paints a definitive, but one-dimensional picture of the man. However, like all of us, Oppenheimer, or Oppie to those who knew him, had many different facets to his life and personality. Christopher Nolan’s three-hour-long magnum opus explores much of what went on in his life and presents a much more nuanced profile of the man, all the while keeping in mind the run-up and aftermath of his greatest achievement.
It is a thinking person’s movie, make no mistake. This isn’t a film where you spend an hour and a half whooping and laughing to get away from your mundane reality. It is a film that holds up history to your face and shows you what happened, dramatized as it is, and says, what do you think? Throughout the film we jump back and forth between different phases of Oppenheimer’s life, his defining moments as a student and a scientist, his life during the Manhattan Project where he oversaw the development and completion of the first atomic bomb, and later on, how his life was changed by the experience and insight it brought. Certain scenes focus on Senator Lewis Strauss’ the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, are depicted in black and white. It is jarring and confusing at first, like watching a revolving door of characters come in and out the story. But soon the timelines coalesce and the threads are masterfully woven together, revealing a much grander tapestry. Being told mostly from Oppie’s perspective, the film’s tone effortlessly shifts to reflect his state of mind. During his studies and into the initial development of the atomic bomb (aka. The Gadget) the movie is energized, hopeful. Around every corner is a new discovery. Beyond every hurdle is a new victory.

Roberty Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy

Then as the various troubles enter into play the film becomes more and more somber and finally, the sheer weight of their accomplishment rises in a crescendo as things fall into place. Science of course plays a large part in the events shown, we are talking about subatomic particles, after all. Oppenheimer presents all the scientific theory and jargon in understandable chunks, simple enough to give the audience an added level of appreciation and understanding. The more scientifically literate viewers will probably have their own little fanboy moments as well, seeing scientific giants depicted on screen such as Neils Bohr, Richard Feynman, Enrico Fermi and of course, Albert Einstein.

A scene from 'Oppenheimer'

The ensemble assembled for the film is equally impressive as both the main and supporting cast boast names that by themselves could draw in a sizable crowd. Cillian Murphy (Dark Knight, Inception) delivers a career-defining performance as Oppenheimer, managing to somehow carry a megaton of a film from start to finish. While he does most of the heavy lifting, helping him prop the film up are Emily Blunt (Marry Poppins, A Quiet Place) as his wife Kitty, Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Avengers, Sherlock Holmes) as United States Senator Lewis Strauss, and Matt Damon (Goodwill Hunting, The Martian) as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves, the man who hand-picked Oppenheimer to lead the Manhattan Project. Be on the lookout as well for many recognizable faces amongst the supporting cast such as Kenneth Branagh, Gary Oldman, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett and Rami Malek. Particularly outstanding was David Krumholtz’s understated turn as Nobel Winner Isidor Rabic, Oppie’s longtime colleague and friend. If you watch only one movie in IMAX this year, do yourself a favor and make it Oppenheimer. The large format of IMAX with its crisp and detailed images is ideally suited for the sweeping vistas of the Los Alamos Desert and other large scale scenes. It is also however surprisingly effective for intimate moments and close ups, arresting you and drawing you in.

Cillian Murphy

But beyond all the drama, inflated egos, and conflicts, Oppenheimer is a character study of a man whose life reflected the atomic world he was so fascinated in. Just as a single particle can create a chain reaction that can unleash a power so terrifying and yet so beautiful, Oppenheimer was a single individual whose work changed the world, and how we see our place in it, for better or for worse, forever. Oppenheimer is now showing in theaters.