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Fashioning Openheimer
Fashion designer Ellen Mirojnick was surprised but pleased when Christopher Nolan sent her an unexpectedly evocative image: David Bowie from the 1970s. Known as the “father of the atomic bomb,” J. Robert Oppenheimer had a very different aura, but Nolan felt Bowie’s image captured a special essence that he wanted to embody in his film’s star, Cillian Murphy.
Mirojnick exclaimed, “It was brilliant! David Bowie was so slender, and his physicality was unusual.He had wide shoulders, gaudy clothes, and a hat. It struck a strange chord with Oppenheimer for some reason.”
The Odyssey of Oppenheimer
Between the 1920s and the 1950s, Oppenheimer traced the career path of a theoretical physicist known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” His path from a young college student interested in applied physics to the head of the Manhattan Project, where he oversaw the creation of the first atomic weapon in history, is portrayed in the biography. “These scientists were all like rock stars in their own right,” says Mirojnick.
Everything was conceivable since they had the power to alter the course of history. They were all quite self-assured, and their personalities were magnificent and distinctive.
For an experienced designer, it was the subtle and crucial attire that brought Oppenheimer’s world to life. Choosing each tie or suit jacket proved incredibly challenging, but once perfected, it couldn’t be denied the magic of seeing the characters come to life. She says, “Just seconds after putting on the clothes, the actors disappeared.I haven’t felt or experienced anything like that in a very, very long time. This movie was quite exceptional.”
The View from the Director: Christopher Nolan
In the film industry, director Christopher Nolan is highly regarded. Many people, including me, think his films are exceptional. Although Nolan has been working on various unfinished short films for a while, most people were first introduced to his directing talents when his second picture, “Memento,” came out in 2000. “Memento” was a sophisticated movie that skillfully intertwined two distinct stories to create a seamless and satisfying whole at the conclusion.
Whether you had “Memento” on your movie radar or not, or didn’t have insomnia in 2003, many (and I mean many) acknowledged Nolan’s work as a director for the first time after successfully tackling the DC superhero “Cape Crusader”. the renowned Dark Knight Trilogy, (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises), and other works.
Additionally, Nolan, who usually writes the screenplay for most of his films, also weaves intricate narratives, focusing more on characters (and their cinematic journey) than on non-linear storylines and visual effects. This was also the case with his latest film “Dunkirk” in 2017, which ventured into the realm of World War II, while continuing to explore the director’s perception of time (its flow and its inverse path), through a science-fiction action thriller.
Now, two years after the release of “Tenet,” director Christopher Nolan and Universal Pictures are preparing to release another explosive bio-drama, delving into the life of J. The development of the atomic bomb by Robert Oppenheimer.
Story
J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) has established himself as a brilliant theoretical physicist, having educated himself alongside other brilliant minds who have nurtured his intellect in the fields of quantum mechanics and principles. After hoping for a teaching job at Berkeley, Oppenheimer receives a unique invitation to become part of an American war machine effort, spearheaded by General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), as work on the development of the atomic bomb begins to take shape at the onset of World War II in the 1940s.
Over the next several years, Oppenheimer is tasked with coordinating a mission with the formation of a team, which will work alongside other inactive talents, while attempting to keep pace with Groves and his military intelligence. While Oppenheimer finds a companion in his wife, Kitty (Emily), and forms a tumultuous romantic relationship with Jean (Florence Pugh), his focus as a physicist primarily remains on Trinity Site organization, which transports scientists and military personnel to New Mexico for construction of the atomic bomb.
Yet, even after the bomb’s construction, Oppenheimer must face scrutiny from various members, including members of the Atomic Energy Commission, and an attempt to unearth the common ground with Louis Strass (Robert Downey Jr.), as he soon realizes that his success comes at a cost, with national figures reluctant to let him enter the bomb’s legacy.
Summary
Creation does not happen without consequences, as J. Robert Oppenheimer soon discovers when he gathers a team of engineers and scientists to develop America’s first atomic bomb, grappling with the implications of everything he unleashes upon the world. Christopher Nolan’s latest film takes on his theatrical endeavors, taking everything he’s known for and transforming it into a daring and spectacular project that confronts the wonders and fears of Oppenheimer’s life.
While the feature may struggle in some very small areas (primarily its long runtime and interrelation of incoming and outgoing characters), a significant portion of the film shines excellently, particularly thanks to the outstanding direction of Nolan, commendable handling and style of the film, an impactful interlaced script events timeline, stunning visual presentation, powerful score, exquisite cinematography, and remarkable performances by Murphy and Junior.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was unmistakably Nolan (from start to finish), and his incredible and meticulously crafted filmmaking details made the whole experience even more engaging. The story was beautifully woven and intricately joined together in very simple and creative ways, while the film’s cast was spot-on and delivered some stellar performances across the board.
It was definitely a cinematic event of the year, and seeing it in 70mm IMAX presentation was phenomenal. Thus, as anyone could easily infer from my mostly glowing review, my recommendation for this film would be a “highly recommended” celebration because it’s a film that should be seen not only on a grand scale and with utmost significance but also on a personal and character-driven level. Driven; somewhat like something unprecedented in Nolan’s previous works.
As per early reviews and “word of mouth,” this picture is entirely worth seeing. However, the film might lack the intensity of Tenet or Dunkirk, or the mind-bending and layered journey of Inception, or even the blockbuster flair of The Dark Knight Trilogy, but the biographical drama and cinematic storytelling quotient remain consistent. As a director and filmmaker, Nolan’s work showcases a masterclass, available in his oeuvre.
Like all of his projects, it’s not just a film… it’s a cinematic experience to behold… one that many will remember for a long time.Ultimately, Nolan’s Oppenheimer succeeds in the larger picture of cinema; this accomplishment will be cherished for its brilliance in character development, directing, and storytelling. Just as Oppenheimer famously said after the successful test of the bomb… “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”… so too will this film.
