The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) known as “the father of the atomic bomb”.

Christopher Nolan’s biopic of Oppenheimer is typically not a straightforward telling of the man’s life. In fact it eschews any efforts to tell you about his life prior to being a noteworthy physicist aside from a few scenes where he meets a mentor and future colleagues as he studies in Europe. Whilst it of course refuses to do anything as simple as tell the story chronologically. Instead we have two stories cross cutting with each other that will eventually collide and explode with a denouement that will leave you reeling.

Story one, Fission is told in full colour. This follows Oppenheimer as he brings quantum physics to the US and takes on the role of leading the race to create a bomb to end all wars. But whilst the film covers the scientific race it is far more interested in the moral conundrums circling Oppenheimer’s mind around what this race means now and will mean in the future.

Story two, Fusion is told in black and white. This follows Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) who is facing a Senate confirmation hearing as he looks to become part of Eisenhower’s cabinet. We will learn that a meeting between Strauss and Oppenheimer that led to Strauss taking a dislike to him will have far wider reaching impacts than a simple lack of friendship.

The overall result is utterly stunning. This is a weighty, intelligent and long (180 minutes) film that does not hold your hand with headings/dates/names that would help you understand the context of what you are watching. What it does do though is completely and utterly grip you by making a complex story feel compelling by turning it into a puzzle about what is going through the minds of two men. It is about the race to create the atomic bomb and the complexity of politics around World War Two and The Cold War but it is also very much about the ambition, single mindedness and moral stance taken by two driven and brilliant men.

What is so fascinating is that Christopher Nolan has created another blockbuster movie but it is one that feels like no other. Aside from the profound efforts to recreate the Trinity test without using CGI and creating a moment that conveys the raw power of an atomic explosion there are no action sequences or chase sequences here. Yet the use of sound and the cutting between time periods creates a superb level of tension. The films that came to mind for me were Milos Forman’s Amadeus which tells the story of a rivalry between two driven geniuses and Oliver Stone’s JFK which manages to tell a complex story featuring Cold War politics in a gripping and entertaining manner.

Another facet of a Christopher Nolan film that I have not discussed yet is his ability to command large casts and Oppenheimer may be his largest yet. In fact it is probably so large it will take too long to discuss all of the wonderful performances. Cillian Murphy who is now appearing in his sixth Nolan film takes his first lead role and he delivers on every single ounce of potential he has shown across his career to date. His piercing eyes and ability to convey the troubled conflicted feelings that Oppenheimer is feeling is phenomenal. Robert Downey Jr. on the other hand delivers a far more flamboyant performance and in some ways steals the film in a supporting role that feels almost guaranteed to win an Oscar (only time will tell). Matt Damon adds some humour and colour as the General who appoints Oppenheimer in his role on The Manhattan Project. Florence Pugh is typically brilliant as Jean Tatlock, a lover of Oppenheimer who is involved with the Communist party. Emily Blunt manages to avoid the pitfalls of being the alcoholic wife and also perhaps delivers one of the most rewarding scenes in a duel with Jason Clarke’s lawyer Roger Robb. Gary Oldman, another Nolan regular now in his fourth appearance for him makes a wonderful cameo as President Truman. Whilst the likes of Benny Safdie, Casey Affleck and Alden Ehrenreich make big impressions with small roles. Can I just say that Alden Ehrenreich really deserves to be a much bigger star than he is.

Oppenheimer is another masterpiece by a great filmmaker.

If you want to read more of my thoughts on Christopher Nolan visit my Christopher Nolan Retrospective article.