So, first of all, let me just comment on the weirdness of
the whole “Barbenheimer” concept. What a fascinating study of what catches people’s
interest. And probably some intuitive marketing brilliance by someone.
Because the movies are, of course, poles apart. I suppose one
key element in common is that they are both far more creative film-making than
the sad tiredness of ever more superhero movies or other franchises.
But let’s get to Oppenheimer. This movie is serious and intense
and cerebral (and long!); it’s so hard to understand how it became so popular.
Don’t get me wrong; it is excellent. The acting, by a large
cast, is amazing. It doesn’t offer easy answers – or even particularly clear
questions. Is the moral question about making/dropping a bomb? Or about the scientist’s responsibility for technology? Or about sharing
scientific knowledge internationally – even with enemies? Are we trying to think
about the conflicted psychology of Oppenheimer or of a nation at war (WW II or the
Cold War) with mind-numbing new Promethean powers? I did not know that three
hours of this kind of film would attract such a large audience!
But for those interested in the complexities, it holds your
interest and makes you think.
I need also to make a comment on the fascinating, yet small,
role of Einstein in this film. I am curious whether it worked for everyone, but,
at least on first watching, it really worked for me. It strikes me that there’s
a bit of Gandalf in it or something – a wise and sad figure on the edge of the
story.
I ask myself whether I would have liked it more or less if
there were a clearer sense of what it was about. Or whether I would have
preferred less focus on Oppenheimer’s nemesis in the latter parts of the film.
Not sure. I think I will need to watch it again to have a better idea of those
questions.
But when I see it again, I’ll watch it with subtitles because: Christopher Nolan.
What the heck, Nolan?! Why can’t you learn how to manage sound in your films.
Tenet was virtually useless because the sound editing was so bad, and so much
dialogue was lost. And many of his films (Interstellar, Dunkirk are other examples) have way too much overwhelming
sound, including this one. My vow at present is never to see another Nolan film
in the theatre but to wait until it streams so that I can turn the volume down
and put the subtitles on. I may forget.
That rant aside, the film is still not perfect, but I think
I’d give it **** (but still only recommending it to those who would like a serious,
intense, cerebral three-hour film).