Oppenheimer: A Breathtaking and Powerful Biopic

Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Oppenheimer, is a breathtaking and stunning biopic that many critics call one of the best of the year.

Nolan’s inspired directing is a dynamic journey through intense action and immersive soundscapes. He elicits brilliant performances with captivating visuals.

Oppenheimer is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography American Prometheus.

Cillian Murphy stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led the American effort to create the first atomic bomb.

But as important as all the science, technology and engineering was, a single meeting to convince the military was a pivotal moment. This was a meeting to sell the idea that dropping the devastating bomb on Japan was a way to end the war.

In this high-level gathering, Oppenheimer, General George C. Marshall, and General Leslie Groves are central. The pivotal moment is so important that General Marshall (Will Roberts IMDB) appears in the trailer.

The Military Meeting

In the film, Cillian Murphy, as Oppenheimer, explains the psychological impact of an atomic explosion, “A pillar of fire, 10,000 feet tall. … Deadly neutron effects for a mile. … In all directions. … From one single device.” Will Roberts, as General Marshall says “World War II would be over … our boys would come home.” And Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves delivers the punchline. “We intend to demonstrate it in the most unambiguous terms. … Twice. … Once to show the weapon’s power, and a second to show we can keep doing this, until they surrender.”

In June, Will Roberts told NewsBlaze about his role as General George C. Marshall. “General Marshall was a pivotal part of this important story. … So I worked very hard on the delivery of those lines to portray how he really was.”

George C. Marshall Foundation Comment

Melissa Davis, Director of Library and Archives at the George C. Marshall Foundation of Lexington, VA, USA.
Melissa Davis, Director of Library and Archives at the George C. Marshall Foundation of Lexington, VA, USA.

“I loved Will Roberts’ depiction of Marshall,” Melissa Davis said. “When I saw Will in Oppenheimer as Marshall, I said ‘Oh, there’s Marshall.’ I feel like he wasn’t acting as Marshall. He was being Marshall.” Melissa Davis is Director of Library and Archives at the George C. Marshall Foundation of Lexington, VA, USA.

“His observation in Oppenheimer about the use of the atomic bomb is ‘World War II would be over; our boys would come home.’ This short phrase speaks directly to Marshall’s ultimate goal: Winning the war sooner so the troops could come home. Not only is it an idea that Marshall would have espoused; it’s phrased as he would have said it, ‘our boys would come home.'”

“May I also say that it was a pleasure to work with Will as he prepared to portray Gen. George C. Marshall? His dedication to learning about Gen. Marshall to show him accurately and respectfully … just amazing.”

The Cast

Cillian Murphy stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer, his performance widely praised by critics as “dazzling.” Murphy said he prepared for the role by doing “a lot of reading,” focusing on the man rather than the mechanics of the atomic bomb.

Emily Blunt as Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer was drawn to the role because of the complexity of the character. Blunt spoke about her character’s deep anger for the political system and her refusal to conform to “the feminine ideal of the time.”

Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves in the film Oppenheimer described his character as “fascinating” and spoke about how Groves felt like a “kindergarten teacher” while managing the scientists on the Manhattan Project. Damon also mentioned that Groves didn’t reflect on the consequences of delivering the atomic bomb to the U.S. government.

Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss spoke about how he challenged the traditional narrative of Strauss being a villain and instead portrayed him as a complex character. Christopher Nolan praised Downey Jr.’s performance, calling him one of the great actors.

Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock. Her performance was praised for its beauty and depth, and her character has been described as a tragic and heartbreaking figure.

Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence, an American nuclear physicist, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 and worked on uranium-isotope separation during the Manhattan Project.

Casey Affleck as Boris Pash, a U.S. military intelligence officer who commanded the Alsos Mission, an American-British military operation that sought to detect enemy scientific developments during the Second World War. Affleck’s performance was praised for its menacing quality, and he was described as giving viewers chills in the scene where Pash interrogates Oppenheimer.

Will Roberts as General George C. Marshall channeled the General in an understated way. President Roosevelt appointed General Marshall to serve on the Top Policy Group, tasked with oversight of the atomic program. General Marshall and Secretary of War Stimson were responsible for amassing funds for the secret project.

Will Roberts as General George C. Marshall in Oppenheimer.
Will Roberts as General George C. Marshall in Oppenheimer.

While scrolling through almost 6,000 viewer reviews, this one from Abin Tom Sebastian caught my eye. Here’s what he said, in part: “Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Oppenheimer is nothing short of revelatory. Through the windows of his soul, we glimpse the turbulent storm of thoughts and emotions that rage within him. With each penetrating close-up, we bear witness to the weight of conviction and remorse this enigmatic figure carries for the cataclysm he has unleashed upon the world. Murphy’s artistry paints a vivid picture of a shattered man who once sought to move mountains, only to realize he had become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

One very interesting thing about this movie is that CGI could have been used to generate the special effects. But Nolan and his team did it with no computer graphics at all.

Oppenheimer Trailer

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Forensic Science Breakthrough: Genealogy DNA Testing Identifies 39-year-old Skeletal Remains

In a groundbreaking case that merges genealogy and forensic science, the skeletal remains of a body known as John Doe were identified.

A Double Life – Makes a Docbusting Story

A Double Life is a documentary withTrue crime, Treachery, Tragic victim, Self-sacrificing hero, Omnipotent villain and International subterfuge.

Beyond Points: What to Expect at Loyalty360—and Why Blings Is Poised to Steal the Show

When marketers talk about “loyalty,” they often focus on...

Nuclear Power Fuels One-Fifth of U.S. Electricity as Oldest Reactors Keep Running

Illinois leads U.S. nuclear power output as aging reactors still run strong and Georgia's Vogtle Unit 3 signals a rare expansion.

U.S. Homeowners Get Bigger Tax Refunds in 2025 – Due to Rising Living Costs

Tax season is here again, and that means homeowners...

After The Death of Tzeela Gez, Seeking Painful Reprisal, Not Tweezed Action

Tzeela Gez was critically wounded in the terror attack. She was rushed to Beilinson Hospital while undergoing resuscitation in the ambulance.

Jane Austen Wrecked my Life – Blaming the Wrong Scapegoat

The film’s title is original and promises humor but,...

Related Articles

Popular Categories