“Oppenheimer” is a 2023 biographical thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. The film stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist credited with being the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in the Manhattan Project — the World War II undertaking that developed the first nuclear weapons. The film is based on the 2005 biography “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
The film chronicles the career of Oppenheimer, with the story predominantly focusing on his studies, his direction of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and his eventual fall from grace due to his 1954 security hearing . The ensemble supporting cast includes Emily Blunt as Oppenheimer’s wife “Kitty”, Matt Damon as head of the Manhattan Project Leslie Groves, Robert Downey Jr. as U.S. Atomic Energy Commission member Lewis Strauss, and Florence Pugh as Oppenheimer’s communist lover Jean Tatlock 1.
The film premiered at Le Grand Rex in Paris on July 11, 2023, and was theatrically released in the United States and the United Kingdom on July 21 by Universal Pictures. The film was shot in a combination of IMAX 65 mm and 65 mm large-format film, including, for the first time, scenes in IMAX black-and-white film photography. Like his previous works, Nolan made extensive use of practical effects, with minimal computer-generated imagery used to perfect the former.
For all the pre-release speculation about how analog epic-maker Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” would re-create the explosion of the first atomic bomb, the film’s most spectacular attraction turns out to be something else: the human face. This three-plus hour biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) is a film about faces. The film has received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its performances, direction, cinematography, and score.
In conclusion, “Oppenheimer” is a must-watch for anyone interested in the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project. The film is a well-crafted biographical thriller that offers a glimpse into the life of one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century. With its all-star cast, stunning visuals, and gripping storyline, “Oppenheimer” is a cinematic masterpiece that is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences around the world.