[The 2024 Oscars will take place on March 10, 2024. Until then, I’ll review as many Best Picture films as possible.]
In my film reviews, I start with the benchmark of five stars and then deduct half or one point if the film falls short in any of the following categories:
· Storyline
· Screenplay
· Acting
· Direction
· Character Arcs
The reviews are my opinions alone.
 |
| An Ominous Dawn The Manhattan Project and J. Robert Oppenheimer (Image:DALL-E) |
Plot Overview
With "Best Picture" and twelve other nominations, 'Oppenheimer’ leads the 2024 pack of nominees. It’s a biopic exploration of the paradox of progress, delving into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his pivotal role in the Manhattan Project. This Oscar-nominated film captures the tension and drama behind the creation of the atomic bomb.
Cast Highlights
Cillian Murphy delivers an understated yet on-target performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer, encapsulating the profound conflict of a man who built the unthinkable. The supporting cast is a powerhouse of A-List actors, including Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., and Kenneth Branagh, whose riveting portrayals elevate the film further. In some cases, the characters’ makeup is so effective as to render some actors almost unrecognizable in their roles, with Robert Downey Jr. as an example. Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves is spellbinding.
Behind The Scenes
Directed by the acclaimed Chris Nolan, 'Oppenheimer' is a testament to the dedication to bringing historical accuracy to the silver screen. Nolan's commitment to the authenticity of technical facts about the Manhattan Project is strongly evident. Did Einstein really encourage the US to pursue the development of a nuclear weapon? An Oppenheimer fact-check reveals that German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein signed a letter dubbed the Einstein-Szilard letter on August 2, 1939. Authored by physicist Leo Szilard, the letter was sent to President Franklin D. Roosevelt recommending funding for research into the potential for using nuclear fission as a weapon.
Commentary
The movie is an intricate tapestry of ambition, ethics, and human frailty. It goes beyond the historical events to question the cost of genius and the price of ambition, leaving audiences to ponder long after the lights come up. It may not precisely move you with a strong emotion in one direction or the other. I can’t say I liked any of the characters, and none tugged at my heartstrings, but perhaps that was the intention. The subject matter of the Manhattan Project is so overpowering that the film may leave you cold, shivery, and a little empty. Although engrossing, the film might have been trimmed a little. Even so, I was surprised at the conclusion of “Oppenheimer” that more than three hours of watching time had passed so quickly.
Wrap-up and Rating
Storyline: Exceptional, threading through the complexities of J. Robert Oppenheimer's life.
Screenplay: Skillful and engaging, brimming with sharp dialogue and intense moments. However, the film could have benefited from some trimming to maintain a tighter pace.
Acting: Seamless, with Cillian Murphy leading with an understated but on-target performance.
Directing: Nolan's direction is technically masterful, even though the frequent color-to-black-and-white transitions can be disorienting, momentarily pulling the viewer out of the immersive experience he so carefully constructs.
Character Arcs: Satisfying, each central figure receiving a well-crafted journey that resonates emotionally and intellectually with the audience.
Overall rating a solid 4 Stars
Bottom Line
Oppenheimer is a compelling cinematic experience rich in detail and depth, cementing its place as a standout historical drama of our time.
#OppenheimerReview #Oscar2024 #ManhattanProject #HistoricalEpic #MattDamon #ChrisNolan #CinematicMasterpiece #CillianMurphy
Posts
I always found Mombasa fascinating when I lived in Kenya, quite different from the inland of the country.
ReplyDeleteI'm greatly looking forward to the book! When does it come out?
It will launch at Bouchercon, Michael. Will you be there? I HOPE!
DeleteI am a little trepidatious about your reading it. You'll know if I got details wrong. Promise you'll tell me first if I did.
Given the depth of your research, if anything in the book is not as I remember it, then it's just another example of my poor memory!
DeleteUnfortunately I won't make Bouchercon this year. Our book has been delayed till next year. Sigh.
Sigh is right! I will have to come to Africa then. Hooray for that idea.
DeleteBe careful throwing around those F-words, AmA. After Jeff's fascinating comments yesterday, starting the blog right off with 'fabulous' is likely to set Jeff right off again.
ReplyDelete(Fabulous story, by the way! Can't wait for the second volume of your fabulous Tolliver series.)
Thank you, EvKa, for your kind words about the series.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Jeff: I am not sure he is talking to me after our debate on Saturday. :)
Our designating one another as Bro and Sis has turned out to TOO apt. We can argue about things we agree on. Let's see if he shows up here today and if he uses an f-word
e only f-word I have for you and your parevka is "flight" as B and I have been on planes since 11PM last night EDT and now it's 6:30pm. Which means I missed all the f-ing back and
ReplyDeleteOh my Bro, flying to where? Was it worth it. I HOPE!!!!!
DeleteFrom the way my typing came out on my comment, not sure the answer is yes. :) However, we just landed in NY on the way to Montana for a wedding, and then it's back on planes to Mykonos. Argggghh.
DeleteDoing the right thing. What a seductive and annoying concept. I hope this trip offers great pleasures. Montana is gorgeous, so there is hope in that regard. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteI am so in awe of your research and courage! Thelma Straw in Manhattan
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Thelma. You are a model of courage, if you ask me--striking out to an international professional life as you did. Huzzah for us women who refused to be kept in our place!
DeleteI'm a little late to the show, but here goes. I loved your post as with so many of your posts, I was right there. It was also fun to read about Mombasa since I never explored anything about it. "Out of Africa" opened this door for me, so now I just have to check out your books.
ReplyDeleteLil, My interest in Africa began with when I first read Out of Africa as a teenager. When I decided to set my series there, I picked the place where Karen Dinesen went to become the Baroness van Blixen in 1914. But I started the series in 1911. We will get to Karen, but for the first three books, we do meet Denys Finch Hatton, Berkeley Cole, Lord and Lady Delamere, as well as her baron--Blix. I had read that book quite a few times before I ever dreamed about setting a book there and then. The more I learn, the happier I am with my choice.
DeleteFascinating history, learned quite a bit. Oh, what we don't know is monumental.
ReplyDeleteAm fascinated about the journals, what they were written on, how they were kept. Where were they stored?
Am dismayed by the colonialism and the slave labor, but it was reality.
Kathy, a lot of my research materials are memoirs of people who were there at the time I write about. They often published in London at the time or shortly afterwards. I imagine that books about what it was like in those exotic places were popular with people on "home" ground in those days. And the GREAT NYPL has them all.
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