Oppenheimer, an epic biopic about the life and work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the Manhattan Project and created the first nuclear weapons, has become a global phenomenon since its release.
The film, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, has earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, and has grossed over $900 million worldwide, making it the most successful biopic ever and the third highest-grossing film of the year, 2023.
The film has also won several prestigious awards, including five Golden Globes, for Best Drama Picture, Best Male Actor, Best Director, Best Score, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr., who plays Oppenheimer’s rival Lewis Strauss.
The film is widely expected to sweep the upcoming Oscars, where it has received 13 nominations, including best picture, best director, best actor, and best-supporting actor as well.
Oppenheimer is not only a cinematic masterpiece, but also a cultural and historical event. The film has sparked a renewed interest and debate about the legacy of the scientist it is about and the ethical and moral implications of the atomic bomb.
The film portrays his character as a complex and conflicted figure, who was driven by scientific curiosity, patriotic duty, and personal ambition, but also haunted by guilt, remorse, and fear. The 3-hour long film also doesn’t shy away from showing the devastating effects of the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the subsequent political and social fallout.
Oppenheimer also explores the personal and professional relationships of the theoretical scientist, including his marriage to Kitty, his affair with Jean Tatlock, his friendship with Albert Einstein, and his rivalry with Strauss.
While receiving a lot of positive reviews, Oppenheimer has also been accused of being inaccurate, sensationalized, and biased. Some critics have claimed that the film exaggerates Oppenheimer’s role and influence, and ignores or misrepresents the contributions of other scientists, including females, and engineers who worked on the bomb.
It also generated controversy, especially in Japan, where the film’s release was initially delayed by the distribution company.
Many Japanese felt that that was insensitive and trivialized the atomic bombings that have come to be embedded into their history. They demanded for its release, which the film’s distributor, Bitters End, eventually agreed to.
According to Bitters End,
“The film’s subject matter is of great importance and holds special meaning for Japanese people, so we decided to release it in Japan after various discussions and considerations.”
The movie is set for release in Japan at an unspecified date in 2024.
The successful biopic, Oppenheimer, has challenged and inspired millions of viewers around the world. It is a film that tells a powerful and compelling story of one of the most influential and controversial figures of the 20th century, and of one of the most pivotal and tragic events in human history. It is a film that has made history, and will continue to do so for years to come.
