I finally watched Oppenheimer. I was never going to see a three hour film at the cinema but it's on the iPlayer at the moment, so you can make it a two parter as I did.
I admit my patience was tried by Christopher Nolan's idea to interweave three timelines in the same film. I think what he's tried to do is make two films at once. An examination about Oppenheimer's story up to the end of WW2, the development of the bomb, the tension between its purpose and the feelings of the scientists involved would have made a good film. The story of the 1954 security hearing and the Strauss senate confirmation might also have made a good film. Maybe a sequel. But Nolan's tried to make both of them at the same time.
I did enjoy it but it demands too much of the viewer, I think. Still - the performances, photography and all that are excellent. Loved Gary Oldman's brief appearance as Truman especially. Robert Downey Jr is brilliant as Strauss.
Quote from: Slim on January 18, 2026, 04:59:51 PMI finally watched Oppenheimer. I was never going to see a three hour film at the cinema but it's on the iPlayer at the moment, so you can make it a two parter as I did.
I admit my patience was tried by Christopher Nolan's idea to interweave three timelines in the same film. I think what he's tried to do is make two films at once. An examination about Oppenheimer's story up to the end of WW2, the development of the bomb, the tension between its purpose and the feelings of the scientists involved would have made a good film. The story of the 1954 security hearing and the Strauss senate confirmation might also have made a good film. Maybe a sequel. But Nolan's tried to make both of them at the same time.
I did enjoy it but it demands too much of the viewer, I think. Still - the performances, photography and all that are excellent. Loved Gary Oldman's brief appearance as Truman especially. Robert Downey Jr is brilliant as Strauss.
Couldn't hear a bloody word of it!
Nolan's best non-Batman film since Memento.