That said, this is not a documentary, and naturally a few liberties were taken. Most notably, the powerful final conversation between Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein (Tom Conti), referencing a conversation they’d had in the past, is entirely fictional. Nor is the actual physics front and center, since thematically, Nolan is far more interested in exploring questions of power, politics, patriotism, and personal internal paradoxes. Still, the film handily captures the world of physics and physicists. Case in point: in one scene, Leslie Groves (Matt Damon) questions Oppenheimer about the possible risk of igniting the atmosphere and destroying the world when they push the detonator button for the Trinity Test. “Chances are near zero,” Oppie responds. “What do you want from theory alone?” Groves responds, “Zero would be nice.”
Those less familiar with this period in history might not pick up on all the ornamental details, but that shouldn’t hamper their enjoyment of the film. Ars Senior Technology Editor Lee Hutchinson had quibbles with the sound quality, however, citing “mumbling, background noise obscuring the dialog, and putting VFX behind dialog so the sound overpowered everything else.” That wasn’t the case at the screening I attended (or at least, I didn’t notice). Still, forewarned is forearmed, and there was also criticism about the sound mixing for Nolan’s 2020 film, Tenet. Audiophiles, take note.
Clocking in at three hours’ running time, with many scenes featuring a bunch of white men sitting around talking about physics and defense strategy, Oppenheimer is the antithesis of what is usually deemed summer fare. Yet Nolan’s skill in telling the story is such that it never seems to drag. Small wonder audiences have been flocking to theaters to see the film. (Many made it a double feature with Barbie, hence the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon.) Oppenheimer greatly exceeded its initial box office projections and has already grossed over $400 million worldwide. It’s my pick for best film of 2023 thus far, and a worthy addition to my growing list of films about the atomic bomb.
Oppenheimer is now playing in theaters.
A look at Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
