“Oppenheimer” (2023) written and directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Cilian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr. and Florence Pugh / Z-View

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Oppenheimer (2023)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Screenplay: Christopher Nolan based on AMERICAN PROMETHEUS by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherman

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Scott Grimes, Jason Clarke, Kurt Koehler, Tony Goldwyn, John Gowans, James D’Arcy, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Groener, Gregory Jbara, Ted King, Steven Houska, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, James Remar, Gary Oldman and Josh Hartnett

Tagline: The World Forever Changes

The Plot…

As World War II rages, the United States and Germany are racing to create an atomic bomb.  J. Robert Oppenheimer is recruited by the US army to co-ordinate scientists chosen for the project.  After Germany surrenders, Oppenheimer and others question the use of the bomb on Japan.  After the war, Oppenheimer’s loyalty to the US is questioned and his reputation put at risk.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Oppenheimer was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won seven…

  • nominee Best Sound – Willie D. Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo, Kevin O’Connell
  • nominee Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling – Luisa Abel
  • nominee Best Achievement in Production Design – Ruth De Jong (production designer), Claire Kaufman (set decorator)
  • nominee Best Achievement in Costume Design – Ellen Mirojnick
  • nominee Best Adapted Screenplay – Christopher Nolan
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Emily Blunt
  • winner Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Ludwig Göransson
  • winner Best Achievement in Film Editing – Jennifer Lame
  • winner Best Achievement in Cinematography – Hoyte Van Hoytema
  • winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr.
  • winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Cillian Murphy
  • winner Best Achievement in Directing – Christopher Nolan
  • winner Best Motion Picture of the Year – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan

Oppenheimer is a dramatization of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life from 1926 to 1959.

Robert Downey, Jr. considers Oppenheimer to be his best film.

Many of the famous actors/actresses appearing in Oppenheimer took small roles and pay cuts to work with Sir Christopher Nolan.

Oppenheimer is an exceptional film from top to bottom.  The film and everyone who was nominated/won an award for it is deserving.  Because it’s not a movie that I will not often revisit, I’m giving it 4 of 5 stars.  Don’t let that fool you though, it is an excellent movie.

Oppenheimer (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.