Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer is technically stunning, and that can’t be understated. The score is to die for, the sequences (or, Oppenheimer’s visions) are a beautiful way to pull you in and sell you to the film’s three-hour runtime. Which, to be frank, rolls on by. Yes, it feels like three hours, but it doesn’t feel like it drags, so if you’re in two minds on watching because of the runtime, allay that fear, because it kept me engaged at all points. I won’t spoil too much of the plot here, but it’s a thoughtful biopic, and the cast sell their roles brilliantly. Cillian Murphy’s interpretation of J. Robert Oppenheimer presents him to be a complex figure, never quite committing politically but always, always arrogant enough to pursue the science to the very end. Whether that is enough to draw a judgement on Oppenheimer, I am not as sure – but if you’re interested in the history, go into this one with a critical eye!

However, I think ‘Spectacle’ is the defining word for Nolan’s recent biopic, and it absolutely is a must-watch in a cinema. Like Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, I think something will ultimately be lost when watching this on a TV or laptop screen, as it demands to be BIG. It demands to be all encompassing, overwhelming, seat-shakingly awesome. At times, the score felt painful, intentionally overwhelming (so if that kind of thing is an issue, I strongly recommend bringing ear defenders). However, that only means I have to recommend watching it at WSC, and it’ll be shown on 70mm film! I’m sure you’ve seen Nolan himself talking about the value of 70mm, and WSC is one of only a handful of cinemas that can show this format. Even if you’ve already seen this in a cinema, you just HAVE to see it as Nolan intended – it’s definitely added to the temptation to rewatch for me…

Sueda Oktay