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Oppenheimer

208 replies

Prrambulate · 10/06/2023 21:16

Anyone planning on seeing this when it comes out on 21st July?

I'm looking forward to a fascinating exploration of the life of the atom bomb inventor gazing at Cillian Murphy for 3 hours.

Some recent promotional stills. The horse riding one gives off Peaky vibes!

OP posts:

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ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 30/07/2023 09:32

Teller is a key character and his role in the removal of security clearance is brought out. Kitty is particularly sharp about him.

Piggywaspushed · 30/07/2023 09:39

WeAreTheHeroes · 30/07/2023 09:13

The marbles in the glass fishbowl and brandy(?) glass were a representation of how much uranium had been enriched, which I hadn't properly picked up on.

It's a very clever, detailed film. There are lots of devices used to great effect.

Of the supporting cast, I thought Matt Damon's performance was excellent and his character was the perfect foil for Oppenheimer. I preferred his performance to that of RDJ who just reminded me of Stanley Tucci throughout and who I could completely see playing that role.

It was alluded to rather than spelled out in the film, but Oppenheimer was a multi millionaire who didn't need to work having inherited from his father. He went from poster boy to scapegoat in the aftermath of WWII.

I got a bit lost in the political stuff towards the end, partly because I was tired, but I understood enough.

I preferred Matt Damon too.

notimagain · 30/07/2023 11:14

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 30/07/2023 09:32

Teller is a key character and his role in the removal of security clearance is brought out. Kitty is particularly sharp about him.

Thanks..

notimagain · 30/07/2023 11:32

^^
..for the clarification, many in the Physics world at the time in later years held the view that Teller was equal to or even more guilty than Strauss in Oppenheimer's downfall.

There has been so much discussion of the Strauss character and nil (?) of Teller here on MN that I wondered if Nolan had changed the emphasis..glad to hear he hasn't.

Littlebelina · 30/07/2023 18:56

notimagain · 30/07/2023 11:32

^^
..for the clarification, many in the Physics world at the time in later years held the view that Teller was equal to or even more guilty than Strauss in Oppenheimer's downfall.

There has been so much discussion of the Strauss character and nil (?) of Teller here on MN that I wondered if Nolan had changed the emphasis..glad to hear he hasn't.

I think it's just down to the framing being from Strauss view as his hearing to confirm his position of secretary of commerce (or similar) plays a large part of the film. Teller's part and his conflict with Oppenheimer do definitely feature.

I went into it only knowing the basics and thought it was excellent. I especially enjoyed the last hour (post trinity) and the way the story was told with the back and forward.

NancyPickford · 30/07/2023 19:37

I thought Emily Blunt was seriously underused in this, and that Tom Conti was laughable as Einstein. RDJ was definitely going for 'Best Supporting' even though there was some serious scenery chewing towards the end. Masterpiece? Meh.

sunglassesonthetable · 30/07/2023 19:41

Tom Conti was laughable as Einstein.

Because you recognised him?

NancyPickford · 30/07/2023 19:48

@sunglassesonthetable no, because I thought his performance was ludicrous.

sunglassesonthetable · 30/07/2023 19:48

why?

sunglassesonthetable · 30/07/2023 19:49

or in what way?

Niftythrifter · 30/07/2023 21:08

It was jam packed with stars. Anyone spot the guy from Hollyoaks?

BrandyandGinger · 30/07/2023 22:19

I really liked Tom Conti as Einstein. I thought the scene between him and Oppenheimer at the end was very fitting. He fundamentally understood the conflict between science and politics.
I don't think Emily Blunt was underused. I thought she did an excellent job of showing the absolute frustration of being an intelligent person and understanding the situation better than her husband but not having agency to change things.

WeAreTheHeroes · 30/07/2023 22:25

Tom Conti was fine as far as I'm concerned. Hardly a key character and his screen time can't have been more than a couple of minutes. His performance wasn't a caricature. Or am I missing something?

Aquarius1234 · 30/07/2023 22:40

Niftythrifter · 30/07/2023 21:08

It was jam packed with stars. Anyone spot the guy from Hollyoaks?

Ha yes I did.
I liked the 10 things I hate about you actor. Did lots of stuff in the early 2000s

JustDanceAddict · 30/07/2023 23:21

That was a real slog. Dh and I found it tough going and I usually like a biopic.

JustDanceAddict · 30/07/2023 23:23

Olinguito · 27/07/2023 14:10

I was disappointed by this film after all the publicity. So many cameos packed in which were lacking any emotional depth or even explanation of who the people were beyond their names. I didn't even feel as if I really got to know Oppenheimer on any deeper level. Somehow for a really long film parts of it felt rushed as it flitted from one scene to the next, and I was relieved when it finally came to an end!

You’ve summed my feelings up perfectly

Niftythrifter · 31/07/2023 07:10

@Aquarius1234 David Kromholtz. Yes it was great to see him in a serious acting role and he was really good in the role!

daisychaindays · 31/07/2023 07:37

Absolutely brilliant film very much a show not tell type of film, yes it involved a lot of concentration but I don't think it was too long I think it was brilliant one of the best films I've seen in a while and inspired me to get hold of the book it's based on, American Prometheus

User5653218 · 31/07/2023 19:54

I enjoyed this film so much, and after reading this thread I nearly didn't go to see it.

I was glad someone explained in advance about the b&w / colour thing and I also googled Strauss before watching so I had an idea what was going on there. But apart from that I had no background knowledge at all.

I found it really interesting. I'd also like to read the book.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 31/07/2023 20:08

I can also recommend the Rest is History podcast on Oppenheimer. Includes some stuff not included in the film - he was definitely a strange one!

Ineedacoffee · 01/08/2023 07:36

I took my 15 year old yesterday. Tbh didnt really do enough research first. He is nearly 6ft and with me - no issues with getting in. He was mildly uncomfortable at the sex scenes. The bigger issue was his lack of context and how long it is. He enjoyed it but i spent the middle hour worryong he wasnt.
We had to have a lot of discussion afterwards about quantum physics, the spanish civil war, communism, roosevelt, truman and the american political system, the cold war, east west partitioning of europe etc. None of which are exactly my specialist subjects!
He would have got a lot more out of it with more understanding of these to begin with - which may in itself put your 13 year old off

Ineedacoffee · 01/08/2023 07:38

My 13 year old not 15 year old

melj1213 · 01/08/2023 08:46

He would have got a lot more out of it with more understanding of these to begin with - which may in itself put your 13 year old off

That'll be why they made it a 15, it's not intended for 13yos to watch

Piggywaspushed · 01/08/2023 08:50

daisychaindays · 31/07/2023 07:37

Interestingly, I thought it was a tell not show film!! Lots of expository dialogue. It's a Nolan thing.

Lottapianos · 01/08/2023 08:51

I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. The story really crackled along and all of the performances were terrific. The only thing that bugged me was too much unnecessary nudity - poor old Florence Pugh was virtually starkers for about half of her screen time

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