Oppenheimer 2023
I was a little wary about going to the theater to watch this 3-hour movie, so I went to Barbie first. The next week I decided I was ready for this big undertaking. It is basically a 2-hour movie about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the development of the atomic bomb followed by a 1-hour movie about Oppenheimer's legacy and some bitter personal politics. Cilian Murphy is very good as Oppenheimer. He didn't seem as weird looking as in the previews, so maybe I just got used to him. One problem is that Oppenheimer himself was kind of an enigma, so it is not an easy part to play. The main roles are all well played including Matt Damon, Robert Downey, Jr., and Emily Blunt. However, too many of the scientists just blur together as dark-haired men in hats. It's not really the story of the other scientists, but here they are, so it is a little awkward. There is a very large cast as the story goes all over the place. It is an interesting historical story and also an interesting personal and political story. Because I already had an interest in all of it, I was pretty likely to like the movie, and while that last hour is a bit of a slog, it has its own rewards. I don't feel like it is a great movie, but it is solid.
Written: 09 Aug 2023