Movie Review: Oppenheimer by Marlon McCluskey

💣 NON SPOILER REVIEW OF OPPENHEIMER 💥

Synoosis: During World War II, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appoints physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb. Their work comes to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witness the world's first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history.

My thoughts: I have always been a history buff So My interest in this Film was peek especially when I found out the subject matter And Christopher Nolan was directing it.

First of all, this film is not for everybody. This is a very dense, slow burn, period piece with no real action scenes. What this is, is a dialogue heavy suspense drama with some brilliant acting. Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer is a Fascinating character. He a brilliant scientist but he is an arrogant narcissistic womanizer. But at the same time he does have a conscience.

This movie asks the age old question, just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. At the same time, the major dilemma is that the Nazi are working on making a bomb too. So either you make it or they will.

This film had a lot of tension. Even though you know what happens you still feel the intense build up. Director Christopher Nolan did a masterful job creating the dread of what a weapon of mass destruction would feel like to those witnesses it for the first time. You also get to feel the regret and guilt Oppenheimer felt with the success of making such a horrible weapon. It made me wonder if I could live with the guilt of knowing I gave the world the power to destroy themselves? Knowing that I was responsible for the deaths of thousands? That's more guilt than anyone was ever meant to bare.

Robert Downey Jr. gives a great performance and I will not be surprised if he or Cillian Murphy get Oscar nominations next year.

Overall this is an excellent film if you are into these type of movies. This isn't my favorite film of the year but I do believe it's among the best of 2023. If you're interested, go check it out.

Grade: 🅰️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️