Okay, get ready with your badams because it is the Nolan season again! This time, the goated director takes up a biopic, and completely remodels how biopics are made. Based on the biography “American Prometheus,” Nolan delves into the life of Robert J. Oppenheimer, the brilliant physicist behind the creation of the first nuclear weapon during World War II. With a goated cast, gripping storyline, chilling visuals and brilliant sound design, this is easily Nolan’s top 3 directorials, and you JUST CAN’T MISS IT.
Plot
Okay but who would be excited for a 3 hour long movie about a man who made the deadliest bomb of the world and… that’s it? Well, yahi toh baat hai. It’s never ‘that’s it’ in a Nolan film. Nolan flips the script time and again and serves us not one, not two, but three parallel storylines. For someone like me who knew about the A-bomb attacks in Japan jitna school mein padhaya hai, it is a lot to take in. The volume of information in movie is so vast, it demands attention from the word go. We go from Oppenheimer’s physics beginnings as student, to leading the Manhattan Project and dealing with his guilt and finally facing his post-war trials, which makes for brilliant court-room sequences. We’re talking political associations, moral dilemmas, love affairs, and some serious power plays ALL in 3 hours.
Performances
Cillian Murphy‘s portrayal of Oppenheimer is definitely one of the most goated things about the movie. His performance captures the scientist’s internal conflict, ambition, charm, and pride, making him both fascinating as well as despicable. The supporting cast, including Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence, Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves, and Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock does more than just ‘support’ and Nolan makes sure everyone has their own moments of glory. But it is Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, who really stands out for me. MCU mein we never really got to see the acting aspect of RDJ, but Oppenheimer tells you just how good he is. Emily Blunt too, delivers a strong performance, especially in the second half, adding chaar chaand to the narrative. And I won’t get into the cameos, bass itna hi bolunga ki it feels like a multiverse of madness.
Direction and Writing
Sigh, where do I begin? Guy made us watch a 3 hour science+history+politics+psychology class and it was so seamless! Haan but ngl, the film’s nonlinear structure may prove challenging for some viewers to follow, so be attentive from the first second. Also, because of the sheer volume Nolan has covered in the movie, you might feel lost amid the 3249239 storylines. The use of sound, and more importantly, silence, is so nuts ki you can’t help yourself from feeling moved. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so many emotions in a movie ever. In short, Nolan is one director, who demands you to have good knowledge about his shit. He challenges you as a viewer, but trust me, if you ace it, you’re in for one hell of a ride.
Screenplay and Cinematography
Let’s be honest, this was the most talked about aspect of the movie before we got to see it. And now I know why. His decision to not use CGI at all seemed so out of the box. But boy has he nailed it. You feel every moment, right from the explosion to the struggles in Oppie’s mind in your fcking veins. The screenplay is like a chemistry experiment, mixing intellect and emotion with precision. Again, polite reminder ki first half confusing lagegi because of so many characters and subplots, but you gotta hold tight. But the second half, especially the last 30 minutes is just *chef’s kiss*. The court-room drama towards the end, it’s perfect, down to the last minute detail. But it is the Trinity test that steals the show. If you don’t feel the chills and thrills when the countdown starts, you’re not human. Such a genius, Nolan. You just can’t find much to complain about.
“Oppenheimer” is like a science experiment with heart and soul. It reminds us that with great power comes great responsibility. It’s a blast of a film that lingers in your mind, just like Oppenheimer’s legacy in history. So, grab your popcorn and brace yourself for an explosive journey through the life of the man who became Death, the destroyer of worlds! Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” will leave you with a newfound appreciation for science, humanity, and the crazy genius of one man who changed the world forever. Please enjoy this in the biggest IMAX possible. Easily in my list of Nolan’s top 3.
