OPPENHEIMER

 

In recent years, with rising budgets and the prevalence of superhero films, we have finally watched Nolan's Oppenheimer, one of the last examples of endangered auteur directors. Technically, I consider the film to be one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time, especially if you have the chance to watch it in an IMAX theater in your city. But before I delve into that, let me talk about the distinctive aspects of the film.

 

A Mind-Bending Experience

 

Although it is categorized as a biographical drama, the film bears some resemblance to the mockumentary genre in terms of its colorful and black-and-white scenes, which Nolan uses to skillfully distinguish between subjective and objective narratives. In the objective scenes, he employs black-and-white mockumentary-like visuals that we are not accustomed to seeing on the big screen. The use of time jumps supports the narrative effectively, and they are utilized seamlessly. If you don't pay close attention, it might be a bit challenging to follow, but the film doesn't muddle the different timelines. Most of the related scenes are presented in close succession, and even flashbacks of characters are carefully placed not to confuse the audience. The film demands your full attention, not something you can casually watch while glancing at your phone.

 

Lord of Atoms, Fellowship of Physics

 

The film is nearly a direct adaptation of the book "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer." According to those who have read the book, it adds significant value to the film as it is based on real events. Many renowned physicists of that era are featured in the movie, making it even more compelling if you have a particular interest in physics and are familiar with most of these scientists. Personally, I recognized about half of these individuals, and yet, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

 

A Film Beneficial to Humanity

 

One of the film's remarkable aspects is seeing all these significant scientific figures together in one place. Oppenheimer was surrounded by numerous brilliant minds, most of whom, except Oppie himself, were Nobel laureates. After watching the film, I couldn't help but delve into research about Oppie, the Manhattan Project, and other scientists. This is a testament to the film's success. It presents science and scientists in a fascinating and awe-inspiring manner, which deserves admiration. I am sure that many who were moved by the film conducted further research afterward. A real-life event has rarely been depicted in such a captivating and intriguing manner. Yes, they might not be Batman, but these geniuses are the true superheroes, changing our lives forever.

 

A Thriller (Isn't It?)

 

It's evident that people who change our lives for the better don't always do so in a positive direction. Scientists can be compelled to share their knowledge and discoveries with those who misuse their powers—sometimes due to pressure from the government or other circles, and sometimes due to their own egos. Oppie faces a combination of these challenges. While no one cares, he brings quantum physics to his country and spreads it. However, when they want to turn this power into a weapon for war, the government comes knocking on his door. We can't know for sure if his ego or passion for science blinds him, but what we do know is that his love for science leads to tragedy for both him and the world. As I said, even though they are geniuses, they are still human beings. Nolan expertly combines these internal conflicts with fantastic music and manages to create tension even in just two lines of dialogue. While two characters converse, I found myself wondering why I was so tense, only to realize that, like Oppie, I was questioning everything. The tension permeates throughout the film, and there were moments that I found more thrilling than films specifically labeled as thrillers. Adjusting the pace so masterfully is a talent not every director possesses.

 

And I Became Deaf: Destroyer of Ears

 

Ludwig Göransson, who impressed me with "Creed" and "Black Panther," has delivered an even more exceptional piece of work than he did in "Tenet." The sounds and music were, in my opinion, the most impactful aspects of the film. Music can deepen the effect of scenes on the audience, as seen in many other films, but in this film, it does more than that—it completely changes the scenes and adds layers to them. When we delve into Oppie's inner world, especially after the bomb is dropped, the emotions we feel from the scenes evolve into something entirely different. I loved this aspect. This could have been your way of compensating for a visually weak film, but this film is nearly flawless visually as well. The shots are so clean, detailed, and well-arranged that there isn't a single second where you'd say, "What was that scene?" Even the moments when the camera loses focus or goes haywire while depicting Oppie's emotional state are exceptionally well-done. Hoyte van Hoytema also deserves praise for his contribution in this regard. Combining all these elements with fantastic sound design? That's how you create poetry.

 

Trinity: This Is How You Define an Epic Film

 

Speaking of poetry, Oppie's love for poetry and his ability to relate science to art in many ways demonstrate how much of a sensitive and emotional soul he was. It is not surprising that the Trinity test sequence is the most epic segment of the film, considering Oppie's penchant for drawing inspiration from a poem he loves. Nolan, who dislikes the use of computer effects, has created the most significant explosion in history by simulating the atomic bomb. And he captured it beautifully. It is an epic sequence that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with the terrifying sound of destruction echoing afterward. It was the most epic moment I have ever experienced in a cinema. The goosebumps I felt, the joyful screams I witnessed, the regretful gazes, and the audience left stunned, eagerly awaiting what would come next.

 

Apolitic Genius

 

After the Trinity sequence, we witness a completely different Oppie—a character questioning his decisions, becoming aware, especially experiencing regret. He distances himself from everyone around him. While Oppie is essentially an apolitical person, he gets involved in politics for the sake of left-wing women. As the witch hunt for communists continues, he gets entangled with women who joined the Communist Party. It seems that Oppie can't escape from troubled waters. With all eyes on him as the person who created the atomic bomb, when the American society and government see him express his remorse openly, they turn their backs on him.

 

The Enmity of Communism and Truman

 

After much interrogation, Oppie is constantly on edge. This tension is also palpable for the audience. During the times when the Cold War is ongoing, the contribution of Oppie and his team has a profound impact on the arms race. Despite such a significant contribution, security clearances are revoked after communist investigations. Being betrayed after contributing so greatly to his country becomes the final blow to his remorse. I'd like to make a separate mention of Gary Oldman, who played the role of Truman for only five minutes but managed to be quite disturbing, leaving us with a taste of honey.

 

Inter-star-ler

 

Aside from Gary Oldman, we encounter other stars in every scene. When Nolan is the director, sought-after stars in leading roles may appear in Oppenheimer only briefly in supporting roles. Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, and many others deliver impressive performances that keep you glued to the screen. Nolan demonstrates his excellent talent in directing actors. Each actor delivers consistent performances. There's no overacting or unnecessary exaggeration. Even the lead actors seamlessly adapt to their roles, making it genuinely challenging to find any flaws. Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh transport you with their natural performances. In my opinion, the two most compelling stars of the film are Robert Downey Jr. and, of course, Cillian Murphy. I would love to see these names in major films more frequently. I'm certain that the Oscars are already on the horizon, and all I can say is that these actors were flawless in the film. Seeing them convey emotions to the audience only through their eyes on the big screen is a precious performance.

 

IMAX and the Resurrection of Cinema

 

Speaking of the big screen, unfortunately, only about ten percent of the world's audience had the privilege of watching this film in its original form. In only thirty theaters worldwide, the 250-kilogram film was screened with massive projections in 70mm IMAX, and those who experienced this must have had an extraordinary experience. Nevertheless, I'm confident that you'll still be deeply moved watching it in an IMAX theater in our country. However, on a regular cinema screen, unfortunately, you won't be able to experience even half of its impact. In fact, watching it at home on a 4K TV with good headphones or a sound system might be more impressive. This film was tailored for IMAX, and Nolan, through his close relationship with IMAX, created the only film with black-and-white analog footage and a three-hour duration. As someone who advocates for watching Nolan's films in the cinema, he has truly delivered a film that brings people back to theaters and compels them to buy tickets. We need more films like this.

 

This is the F.... Cinema

 

In short, Oppenheimer is a film that stands out in many ways and, for me, approaches perfection. It has already earned a place alongside the classics in my eyes. I haven't watched a film this impressive and unique in a long time. It tells perhaps the most crucial story of historical events from the perspective of the most critical figure. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, breaking you down, making you sad, anxious, and deeply disturbed. Through the empathy established with Oppenheimer, we genuinely feel his regret when he speaks about it. "And I became death, the destroyer of worlds..."

9,6/10