Citizen Kris’s review published on Letterboxd:
Oppenheimer is a riveting character study of the highest order. It's dense, dialogue-heavy, detailed, and an exhibition of the amazing cast's acting prowess.
At the same time, the subject matter, even if you know of this true story, is enough to keep you transfixed and engaged during its 3-hour runtime.
This is Christopher Nolan's equivalent to David Fincher's The Social Network (2010); a biopic veering away from the usual formula and going the route of alternate timelines. As per usual with Mr. Nolan, a puzzle for the viewer to piece.
This movie presents a rapid-fire pacing. It moves swiftly. It reminded me of Martin Scorsese's The Irishman (2019), a similarly long picture that goes at a fast pace and does so well enough to present all its materials. Paired with Ludwig Göransson's stellar score, the tone always felt like a constant buildup...like...dare I say, a ticking bomb (let's just intend the pun). I did not feel these three hours. Somehow, I could've happily sat for more time.
A great character study isn't complete without a high level lead performance. That was Cillian Murphy. His performance played similar to Ryan Gosling's Neil Armstrong in First Man (2018), relying less on overdramatic burst-outs and more on eye acting and quiet deliveries. Mr. Murphy's performance as an unrewarded genius presented a world-weary torment that oozed out of the screen and into our very beings. Robert Downey, Jr. and Emily Blunt were absolutely outstanding, among such a great ensemble.
This isn't a puff piece about J. Robert Oppenheimer. It leaves the viewer to decide whether he was or wasn't "a great man". It lays everything bare. It requires your patience and full viewing to really get the scope of the character they're trying to portray.
After Tenet (2020), my main gripe with Chris Nolan was that his writing of screenplays was his Achille's heel. Many I know (not me) felt that same way about Dunkirk (2017). It's only fitting that he followed it up with arguably his best screenplay. Therefore, asking us to hold the proverbial Oppenheimer-sized beer.
96%
Note: THIS IS THE 1,000th MOVIE I'VE LOGGED ON LETTERBOXD! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
