Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” Receives Glowing Reviews from Critics

The highly anticipated biographical thriller, “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. The film revolves around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb,” portrayed brilliantly by Cillian Murphy in the lead role.

The Independent hailed the film as “clever” and “imaginative,” asserting that Nolan is at his best with this project. The Telegraph praised Cillian Murphy’s performance, describing it as dazzling, especially in his portrayal of the “destroyer of worlds.”

The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw acknowledged the movie’s flaws but also acclaimed it as extraordinary.

The film draws inspiration from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer,” as it unravels the enigmatic life of the Manhattan Project scientist who played a pivotal role in developing the atomic bomb, significantly altering the course of World War II.

Nolan expressed that Oppenheimer’s creation of the atomic bomb granted humanity the power to destroy itself, a concept that had never existed before. This profound historical event was commissioned by the US Government, driven by a nuclear race with the Nazis. In 1945, scientists in New Mexico detonated a test bomb, code-named Trinity, which paved the way for the controversial use of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing devastating consequences.

Telegraph’s Robbie Collin bestowed a five-star rating on the film, considering it a triumphant portrayal of the “father of the nuclear bomb,” comparable to witnessing history unfold before one’s eyes. He described “Oppenheimer” as a film that artfully navigates both intimate and cosmic scales, offering a rollercoaster experience combined with a soul-stirring spiritual portrait. Collin praised Cillian Murphy’s performance, stating that the 47-year-old actor delivered the performance of his lifetime, infusing Oppenheimer’s character with captivating nervous eroticism and a noirish musicality reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart.

Empire Magazine’s Dan Jolin also awarded the film a five-star rating, calling Murphy’s performance compelling throughout. He lauded the film as a masterfully constructed character study and applauded Nolan’s exceptional direction, elevating his craft to a whole new level.

Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw, in his four-star review, described the film as capturing the most agonizing of success stories, applauding Nolan’s unparalleled audacity and ambition. Bradshaw acknowledged the film’s obtuseness in its focus on Oppenheimer’s torment as a genius-functionary, while not adequately delving into the experiences of the Japanese and the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Murphy, who played the enigmatic Oppenheimer, shared that the role was a brilliant challenge that took a toll on him, but he embraced it wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, co-star Matt Damon revealed that he would only break from acting if Christopher Nolan were to call him for a project.

Christopher Nolan, renowned for his Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Dunkirk, and Tenet, makes history with “Oppenheimer” as the first film with sequences shot on black and white IMAX film.

The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney praised the film’s scorching depiction of America’s ability to create and destroy its heroes, while acknowledging the demand it places on the audience due to its four-act structure.

In a four-star review, the Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey regarded “Oppenheimer” as Nolan’s best and most revealing work, commending its non-linear structure and beautifully lensed cinematography. However, Loughrey also noted that the film was somewhat self-aware, shaping its own reality within the realm of cinema.

Rolling Stone’s David Fear dubbed the movie as “big, loud, and a must-see,” characterizing it as thrilling and brilliant yet also overstuffed and leaving the audience wanting more.

After the New York premiere, celebrated filmmaker Paul Schrader, known for writing “Taxi Driver,” hailed “Oppenheimer” as the best and most important film of this century, urging audiences to experience it in cinemas.

“Oppenheimer” will be released in cinemas on Friday, July 21st, and promises an enthralling cinematic journey into the life of the enigmatic scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer.