After the premiere of Oppenheimer in Paris this week, the first critiques of Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited film are in.
The historical biopic film centered around theoretical physical J. Robert Oppenheimer as he designs the atomic bomb used during World War II. Called “the most important man who ever lived”, Oppenheimer was the director of the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory, where the weapons of mass destruction were developed. Oppenheimer pondered the ethical dilemmas posed by the Manhattan Project, and the far-reaching consequences of his work. In the years following the war, he was investigated by the United States Government for suspicions of ties to the Communist Party.
Collider’s Steve Weintraub calls the film “incredible”. Praising Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography and Nolan’s storytelling, Weintraub says “every aspect of the film is worth talking about”. There were some concerns about the length of Oppenheimer, with the film clocking in at 3 hours. Weintraub says however, that the “time flies by”.
Vulture writer Bilge Ebiri echoes Weintraub, also calling it incredible and “fearsome”. Ebiri calls it “relentlessly paced, insanely detailed, intricate historical drama that builds and builds and builds until Nolan brings the hammer down in the most astonishing, shattering way”.
Robbie Collin says “it’s a total knockout that split my brain open”. The Telegraph film critic went on to add that the film “left [him] sobbing through the end credits”. While Oppenheimer sounds like it’s not for the faint of heart, it’s a deeply emotional rollercoaster of a film.
There was also high praise for Cillian Murphy as the titular Oppenheimer, with journalist Simon Thompson calling it a “flawless awards worthy performance”. He calls the film “Christopher Nolan’s haunting opus”. Cinematography for the film is led by Hoyte van Hoytema, which Thompson called “breathtaking”. Hoyte van Hoytema is frequent collaborator of Nolan’s, with the duo having previously worked on Tenet, Dunkirk and Interstellar together.
With the whole ensemble cast “at the top of their game”, Associated Press Film Writer Lindsey Bahr noted the “nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many, many others involved”. Bahr called the film “truly a spectacular achievement”.
Despite concerns about the film’s length, or its box office battle between Barbie, it seems that Christopher Nolan has created a masterpiece that will leave an impression on audiences long after they leave the cinema.
Oppenheimer will premiere in UK cinemas on July 21.