Oppenheimer: Directed by Christopher Nolan

SYNOPSIS: The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

The newest film from Christopher Nolan has everyone talking. Not only is it one half of the Barbenheimer weekend, but it also has a stacked cast, intriguing trailers and a premise that we have yet to see Nolan tackle. It’s no secret that I’m a Nolan fanatic and will flock to the theater for anything he produces, but for theaters to be packed weeks in advance, this one has the makings of being something special, not just to me, but to the film industry and pop culture as a whole. A biopic doesn’t have the type of box office and hype that Oppenheimer has and that is the Nolan effect. The ramifications of the Barbie + Oppenheimer weekend will set the tone for the future of Hollywood and the industry of motion pictures. 

I don’t even know where to begin. After two showings I am still at a loss for words and in a sense of awe at what I saw put to screen. The writing is one of the strongest aspects of this all, being able to tell a story of a highly complex man while keeping it engaging for three hours. It’s a classic biopic, it’s a war film, a thriller, a horror film and a courtroom drama all in one and it works. It balances all of these genres without feeling bogged down and too complex for the average viewer. It’s snappy and intriguing while also telling a clear and concise story. It’s a cautionary tale that will leave you stunned and scared even in the world we live in today.

This film is the magnum opus of Christopher Nolan and arguably the best film he has ever made. If there is a time for him to finally bring home his Academy Award for Best Director, this is the time. He has a way of keeping the audience engaged through cinematography, editing and composition of a scene. The Trinity Test sequence is one of the best of the year and might not be topped. I am always so interested to see how Nolan decides to push the limits of filmmaking in each of his films and this time, the storytelling is at the forefront. Writing the script in first-person is brilliant and adds another, deeper and more complex feel to this character study. You feel like you are fully entrenched inside the mind of Oppenheimer. Is this another masterpiece from one of the best working directors in Hollywood? I think it might be.    

What is there to say about the performances? You have a multitude of efforts that are going to earn Oscar nominations and dare I say, some that might actually win. Cillian Murphy is incredible. Transforming into the role of this haunted man who has the world in the palm of his hands, but has to deal with the ramifications of that power. Robert Downey Jr. is another standout in probably the best performance of his career. Emily Blunt is heartbreaking, Matt Damon is commanding and Alden Ehrenreich has some of the funniest moments. This cast is stacked to the brim with brilliant performances almost guaranteed for a SAG Ensemble nomination, and potential win. This doesn’t work without the performances at the quality that they were. 

The technical elements are what you expect from a Christopher Nolan movie. Hoyte van Hoytema is back and better than ever behind the camera. From the wide, sweeping shots to the extreme closeups, this film is gorgeous. The set design is killer. The insistence of shooting everything in camera just takes this film over the top. It all feels so worn in and authentic because it is. The score stands out, with Ludwig Göransson proving again that he is one of the most electric composers working today. The sound design here is excellent too, much much better than Tenet and the visual effects are just breathtaking. The Trinity Test is incredible and for it to be done in camera just boggles my mind. Nolan never misses. That’s why people are flocking to see this three-hour historical drama.          

At the core of this film is a cautionary tale for today. It is a film about power and the consequences and moral dilemmas the people with that power possess. It is also a very scary tale about the threat that we live under every day with nuclear weapons. The final two to three minutes of this film where Oppenheimer is explaining this chain reaction that he has started are some of the most harrowing, terrifying and vivid moments of the entire runtime. It tied everything together perfectly. This is a horror movie whether it feels like one or not.

Nolan stated in an interview promoting this film that he would never voluntarily stop making movies and I’m so glad that that is the case. We are living in a period of cinema where one of the greatest directors, probably of all time, is working his magic. With each new project, there is yet another major breakthrough for filmmaking as a whole and a bunch of new things that just leave your jaw on the floor. There are very few directors today that are given the budget he’s given to make whatever he wants to make. And there are very few directors today that have people selling out theaters for weeks to watch a three-hour biopic. This is the Christopher Nolan effect. His love for the craft is incredible and as long as he’s making films, that will still be alive. 

FINAL: Oppenheimer is one of the greatest films of the 21st century and one of the most important pieces of filmmaking I have ever laid my eyes on. Nolan returns with another compelling and complex film that focuses more on the story this time than the spectacle. Cillian Murphy leads a cast full of star performances, the writing is some of the best I’ve seen this decade and the technical elements are on par with any of Nolan’s best films. The tension succeeds, the stakes are high and the ending leaves you terrified. A magnum opus from one of the best directors working today.

Point Breakdown:

15 for Writing: 14

15 for Performances: 15

10 for Entertainment: 10

10 for Direction: 10

10 for Emotions: 10

5 for Cinematography: 5

5 for Score: 5

5 for Pacing: 5

15 for Technical: 15

5 for Rewatchability: 5

5 for Automatic: 5

Oppenheimer: 99/100

Jack Lautaret is a Banana Meter approved film critic, Host of the Jack Lautaret YouTube Channel and writer for Music City Drive-In. He is a member of the Online Film and Television Association. Twitter: @JackLautaret