This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.
To be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of Christopher Nolan’s work, I really like some of his works but mostly not. Oppenheimer is decent, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The film chronicles the true story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his involvement in the creation of the atomic bomb.
It’s fascinating to witness the story and its evolution, and this movie is undoubtedly one of the best-made films of the year. Nolan is an exceptional director, but the cast deserves special recognition for their outstanding performances. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal is award-worthy, and Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., and Matt Damon are also notable. The cast’s fantastic work is something that should be acknowledged. The cinematography is excellent, visually stunning, and seeing it in IMAX was an incredible experience. While the editing can be perplexing at times, it’s intricate and well-crafted.
This movie is incredibly complex, and it will make you reflect and think about the story from beginning to end. The plot is good, but it felt overlong to me. Before the movie was over, I was already tired, and the pacing was so slow that it took longer than necessary to get to certain points. The long dialogues and scenes that were drawn out to make the movie more extensive made it feel longer than it needed to be. While the plot was intriguing, the slow pacing and length of the movie detracted from my overall enjoyment of it.
Cillian Murphy’s portrayal in this movie is his best work in a feature film to date. He delivers the role flawlessly, making us feel all the affliction and desperation the character goes through, and it’s magnificent to see. The sound mixing is also exceptional, and watching this movie in IMAX is an immersive experience. The explosions, atmosphere, and every single detail of the sound are so well-crafted that you can feel it, making the experience even more realistic.
Oppenheimer provides a triumphant cinematic experience with top-tier cinematography and a magnificent cast led by Cillian Murphy, who delivers the best acting of his career. However, the movie falls short in its slow-paced and tiring plot.
★★★
Oppenheimer releases in theaters on July 21.
