Todd Hill’s review published on Letterboxd:
I'd like to see another film director working today assemble an ensemble cast this impressive. Granted, they're virtually all men, but such is the story that Christopher Nolan wanted to tell, and the birth of the atomic bomb is one of the most vital, crucial developments in the course of human history. So naturally, nobody got around to it until now.
I can't claim to recall a dozen Cillian Murphy performances, or even a third that many, but I have to think this is his best work to date, and may even stand as a career high. More than that, it was a sincere pleasure to watch Robert Downey Jr. act the hell out of a part again, especially long after I'd given up on him as someone who just took the (Marvel) money and ran. Good for him.
I can't really be too critical of this film. It's sure to be among my top five, if not top three, of 2024's 10 Oscar nominees for Best Picture. But, well, some observations. Nolan is not alone in this, but his penchant for refusing to stick to any one shot for more than 30 seconds wears on me. The movie makes a slew of truly significant points, but cumulatively, never with just any one scene. Consequently, there are very few memorable moments, since there are so many moments to begin with. If that makes any sense. I'm not asking for anything Kubrickian here, but a little patience never hurt any motion picture.
One genuine criticism --- this three-hour picture peaks around the two-hour mark, with the successful bomb test, and then the dropping of the bombs on Japan (off-screen). We then get a full extra hour of a hearing of sorts to determine whether Oppenheimer is to get his security clearance renewed, intertwined with a politico's confirmation hearing for U.S. Commerce Secretary. I appreciate that these storylines are integral to Oppenheimer's life story, but they're otherwise not very interesting. Cost me a half star on this review.
Two final points --- Great sound design here throughout; I would expect nothing less from a Nolan effort. And I would love to know if that scene between Oppenheimer and President Truman actually went down as depicted, or was fictionalized. Great stuff.
Letterboxd Review No. 805
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