Film Analysis: Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ and Its Implications

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With Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” we are presented with a film that embodies a powerful and striking depiction of a significant turning point in human history.

The movie dives headfirst into the turbulent life of J. Robert Oppenheimer (portrayed by Cillian Murphy), the primary architect of the Manhattan Project, in a riveting three-hour narrative. “Oppenheimer” tackles the profound impact and the following repercussions of what a character refers to as a divine force’s revelation.

Despite the epic scale of the story, “Oppenheimer” is one of Nolan’s most human-oriented and intimate films, and it stands as one of his finest works.

Through close-up shots and immaculate detail, even in the expansive IMAX 70mm format, the film attempts to decipher the immense contradictions of Oppenheimer, a charismatic individual with piercing blue eyes, known as the father of the atomic bomb. His later stance against nuclear proliferation and the hydrogen bomb also highlighted him as America’s post-war moral compass.

Nolan, using his own interpretation of Martin J. Sherwin and Kai Bird’s 2005 Pulitzer Prize-winning book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” frames the film around Oppenheimer’s preparation for the Manhattan Project and two subsequent key moments.

The first, a 1954 inquest into Oppenheimer’s political leanings by the Atomic Energy Commission during the McCarthy era, resulted in the revocation of his security clearance. The second, a Senate approval hearing for Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), the chair of the Atomic Energy Commission and a covert adversary of Oppenheimer. These gritty political manipulations provide a stark, often harsh scrutiny of Oppenheimer’s life choices and accomplishments, inevitably raising moral questions.

These parallel timelines infuse “Oppenheimer” with a noir essence as it grapples with the life of a physicist who devoted half his life to pioneering a new science and the remaining half to confronting the ramifications of his monumental, world-changing creation.

Nolan, known for his intricate narratives like in his previous film “Tenet,” embarks on the story at an electrifying speed. Throughout, “Oppenheimer” maintains a potent energy, chronicling Oppenheimer’s journey as a promising student in the emerging realm of quantum mechanics. However, the film focuses less on the scientific formulas and more on the evolving psyche of the protagonist.

The film positions itself primarily within the bounds of Oppenheimer’s fertile imagination and troubled mental state. This approach is a departure from Nolan’s earlier works that typically involved grand structures, as seen in “Inception” and “Interstellar.” Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema depict Oppenheimer’s mind through a montage of visuals that span the cosmos, highlighting his boundless capacity for thought.

“Oppenheimer” features a vast array of characters in fine detail, with standout performances from the likes of Benny Safdie, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Alden Ehrenreich, Macon Blair, and Emily Blunt. Yet, it’s Murphy who truly shines, delivering a captivating portrayal of Oppenheimer’s conflicting characteristics.

The film culminates in the dramatic Trinity test at Los Alamos, an event that radically altered the course of history. Nolan’s mastery is evident in the unforgettable scenes capturing the eeriness preceding the explosion and the resounding applause that follows.

As the narrative continues, the increasing intrusion of the government into scientific endeavors brings contemporary issues of destruction into focus. Some may argue that the story loses momentum during the bureaucratic hearings, choosing to reaffirm Oppenheimer’s legacy rather than grapple with the deeper implications. However, “Oppenheimer” continuously oscillates between the marvel of human potential and the apprehension of our inability to handle it responsibly.

“Oppenheimer,” distributed by Universal Pictures, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for containing elements of sexuality, nudity, and language. It has a runtime of 180 minutes and garners a four-star rating out of four.

You can follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP.

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• American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer