beautiful. bravo nolan!
this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2023
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Question for those who have already seen Oppenheimer: I have been avoiding watching it because I don't want to see some guy celebrated (or focus on their emotional struggle) whilst ignoring the immense number of innocents killed by the weapon they were fully aware of creating. Is this concern reasonable? I like Nolan's movies in general, so if it wasn't I'd gladly watch it
The main focus is on Oppenheimer's journey, from communist to working on the Manhattan project, and his life after the project. They don't glorify the process, although it's fair to say the deaths in Japan don't get a huge amount of attention.
It's also worth noting the program originally began as a race against Germany to build a nuke.
What do you mean by "communist"? Like Oppenheimer was in favour of a classless society or did he live under state-capitalism/the Soviet Union?
As in supported classless society. He supported and associated with numerous left wing movements throughout his life.
As in communist party of America, I don't know their exact beliefs.
Your concern is understandable.
Even-so, I would say it’s worth a watch. It does a good job of being historically accurate. I don’t want to say too much as it’d spoil the experience of watching a movie (at least by how I define spoilers hah), but I think the movie strikes a solid balance in respecting the lives lost, calling out the hypocrisy, bringing up arguments for both for and against, acknowledging genius etc.
Ultimately, watching the movie with grains of salt (as with everything) is an enriching experience and it’d be a shame to miss.
Now for the movie watching experience: If you can, watch it in IMAX 70mm. But since that’s very rare, I otherwise recommend Dolby Cinema.
Hope that helps a bit.
Thanks for your explanation! Sounds like I now need to figure out where to find it in this format :)
He is not celebrated and his struggle with consequences of bombing Japan are shown (and shown quite artistically interesting) and with knowing that atomic bomb will change the future. Also, movie carries a message that is anti nuclear weapons and ends on that note.
I was disappointed with this film, and I don't think Nolan is the right person to tell this story. Nolan is so wrapped up in the Great Man theory of history that he's incapable of telling a story about the actual social impact of the bomb. Did it kill nearly a million people? Sure, but let me tell you about this guy's personal loss and his feelings(!). Nolan is happy to grapple with the bomb as possibly immoral, maybe, but the only person in this movie who gets depicted as a victim is Oppenheimer. And a victim of racism no less!
(I also find it funny that a film about communist scientists has scenes in fancy hotels, because Christopher Nolan can NOT make a movie without a posh hotel. The guy is just so enamored with wealth and whiteness.)
Honestly, if you want to watch a great movie about the A bomb, check out Barefoot Gen.
And if you want to watch a good movie about state-sponsored killers living with regret, watch Munich.
Skip Oppenheimer.
The movie is called Oppenheimer though. So it's kinda gonna be about Oppenheimer
Studio executives, holding gun to Christopher Nolan's head: C'mon Nolan, let's hear it one more time.
Nolan: I'm gonna make a movie about a guy
Studio executives click back the hammer: And what's it gonna be called? Say it. I wanna hear you say it.
Nolan fighting back tears: Oppenheimer! I'll call it Oppenheimer!
Anyway, I'm trying to decide what to watch next. Can you help me pick between these: -Waiting for Guffman -Bend It Like Beckham -Julius Caesar -Chasing Amy -Rebecca -Harvey
I'd like to know too! I loved The Greatest Showman in spite of it, but it was weird how it glorified P.T. Barnum..