I was fascinated with Christopher Nolan's movies after watching Interstellar, a 2014 science fiction. Like many science students, my experiences with science were mostly limited to theories, labs and, at the maximum, science exhibitions and fairs. I was so absorbed and invested in the film that space travel sequences appeared to me like I was taking a sneak peek into a space vehicle for an arduous space journey.

During my brief conversations with Cinephiles, I could reinforce my judgement that Nolan is one of the brightest minds in filmmaking of our times. Fans of Nolan had every right to be impatient; Oppenheimer did not fail to satisfy their expectations. It would have been disappointing for that audience who expected the nuclear explosion scenes or an action thriller narrative in the first half. Nolan’s aversion to computer-generated imagery (CGI) and his rigidity helped the audience enjoy a real lifetime story in its raw form and substance.

One cannot but agree with the sheer talent of Nolan in the way he treats the story. It is not just a biopic that unravels the layers of a brilliant and complicated scientist whose work changed the world forever, but also a Shakespearean classic that treats intense psychological turmoil with ultimate passion and perfection. 

This is why I call it a perfect movie and a must-watch spectacle for the cinephiles out there because of its perfect opening. Referring to Prometheus – the god of fire in Greek mythology – and a climax that highlights the thoughts of Albert Einstein, the greatest and most influential theoretical physicist world has ever witnessed!

Unravelling a beautiful mind, in turmoil

Inspired by American Prometheus, the 2005 Pulitzer-award-winning book by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin, the film chronicles the life and work of the theoretical physicist from a German Jewish elite family, born in New York in 1904. Known to be an introvert, Oppy spent most of his time alone. In his own words, he wanted Physics more in his life than people. He stayed uninterested in the socio-political events till his early twenties, till he fell in love. 

One can see the transition of a beautiful mind mostly who kept to himself, evolving because of his associations with personalities from science and politics, making him a complicated, at the same time, a sensible and sensitive human being who is flawed, stubborn, passionate, but intensely loyal to his country.

The authors were perfect in their observation in comparing him to Prometheus, the Greek god of fire. The events that follow Oppenheimer from being called the father of the atom bomb to a Russian spy suspect certainly make him the modern Prometheus who created the atom bomb for mankind, like the god who stole fire from the mighty Zeus for humankind. 

Similarly, resembling the scene when Prometheus was tied to a rock in the Caucasus mountains, Oppy was also suspected, questioned, and harassed by the American government but ultimately failed to find a fault. For Prometheus, it was his love for mankind that forced him to steal. To Oppy, on the contrary, it was his unwavering loyalty. 

Another answer I sought through the movie was why a genius like Christopher Nolan chose the biopic of a scientist who lived sixty years back. Through his work, Nolan unravels the mind of a complex human and the brightest being, grappling to find a balance between his work and his ideologies that changed humanity forever. 

Old footage of Oppenheimer showcases some handsome gentlemen with attractive blue eyes that could express an ocean’s depth. In one of his interviews, Cillian Murphy confesses that all the actors cast in the movie read exceedingly that they ended up looking and behaving like the characters in the story. One must appreciate the dedication of the lead actor, who made great efforts in reading and learning texts like the Bhagavad Gita that are disparate from his culture.

Why did Oppy choose Bhagavad Gita was another intriguing question. The context of Oppy’s life and that of the Gita’s are very similar. The text might have given some psychological relief to a confused Oppy. 

An enthralling blend of filmmaking crafts

I cannot but miss appreciating the background score by the Swedish musician Ludwig Goransson. There are several sequences in the movie where it completely absorbs us the audience into a sense of oneness with Oppy’s emotions. The musician completely marvelled at his attempt to make us feel the emotions of regret, helplessness, and awry felt by the scientist. 

There is a scene where Oppy is confused about whether to rejoice and feast when America successfully drops the atomic bomb, helping them win the world war. At the same time, his mind is sorrowful for the same event that killed lakhs of innocent people. The hero looks confused and visibly in a state of trance. I could not externalise this emotion without this flawless music piece played at that moment by the Swedish genius.

Oppenheimer is a dialogue-heavy movie that traverses through a volatile geopolitical epoch and pans through the complexities of quantum physics. Even though it is a visual treat for history enthusiasts like me or physics geeks worldwide, some knowledge of these subjects will help us navigate the movie. 

Nolan also effectively pursues a nonlinear storytelling method, accompanied by his typical style of fast-paced rhythm in editing shots, making it a bit complicated for moviegoers. Therefore, one must focus on the sub-titles and the pace without losing track. Despite the film's three hours of running time, Nolan decorated it so well, mixing genres in a non-linear fashion, from a courtroom saga to a classical drama to a biopic without making the audience tardy about the length that seemed inevitable for the narrative. 

Strong characters, in reel and real life

As a feminist, I cannot forget to mention the power of female characters that stood aside the lead, supporting, critiquing, and disagreeing during events. The stellar performances by the female cast with powerful dialogues gave the depth each character deserves. 

I found Oppy’s encounters with Jean Tatlock the most intense. After a long time, I witnessed true love onscreen. Jean seemed so intricate that Oppy fell head over heels for her. Jean’s life and death influenced Oppy to grieve profoundly and empathise with his fellow humans. 

Oppy’s wife, Kitty, played by Emily Blunt, on the other hand, is another strong woman. The strength of her character is displayed during the trial scenes in how she argues with logical statements by differentiating between intellectual and practical Communism. 

The ambitious, political, and vicious Lewis Strauss, played by Robert Downey, is another influential character who signifies modern-day politicians and bureaucrats. Nolan uses the real names of most of the characters, another typical example of a truly democratic society that is ready to admit mistakes and expose its faults. 

Despite claims of our democratic traditions, we, in India, cannot even dare to attempt such a courageous act, even with a work of art. 

Leslie Groves, played by another Academy Award winner Matt Damon, the stern-faced US army General, who often differs in opinions, recruits the theoretical physicist despite his political affiliations because of his contributions to the calculations of critical mass that are crucial of a chain reaction during the bomb explosion. We can witness another character with grey shades on the screen.

Oppy vs Barbie

Theatres worldwide witnessed a box office competition between Oppenheimer and Barbie since their release dates were the same. Barbie is a 2023 fantasy feel-good movie about the popular toy Barbie. Barbie outperformed Oppenheimer at the box office globally, but things were different in India. Market forces favour the 1500-screen release of Oppenheimer, while just 700 screens were used for Barbie. 

Various factors might have led to such a varied response in India. Christopher Nolan has a loyal fanbase following in India. His earlier movies - Interstellar, Inception, Dark Knight, and Dunkirk - were phenomenal successes at the Indian box office. 

Nolan himself has a personal connection with India. On his birthday, he said, “India has one of the greatest film cultures in the world.” During his visit to India, he engaged with famous stars like Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan. 

Two of his films, Tenet and Dark Knight Rises, were shot in India. Nolan also shared his experience of watching Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali. He remarked that it was an extraordinary piece of work. Nolan's prodigy and connection with the Indian industry might be a reason for such colossal acceptance and advanced bookings for the movie.  

Oppenheimer's knowledge of Sanskrit and deep interest in Bhagavad Gita's teachings were also popularized while marketing the film, notwithstanding the criticism from some quarters. This professed admiration for Indian spirituality helped to move the market and bring more people to theatres. 

Another reason feminist critics postulate is the gender disparity of audience attendance in Indian theatres. But new reports suggest that 53 per cent of people visiting movie theatres today are women. 

Barbie is a women’s brand; still why Indian women chose Oppenheimer over Barbie is an interesting question. Barbie is very much a part of American popular culture. The doll depicts an aspect of fashion pop culture and has always been up to date with the yearly trends. The Barbie doll, however, failed in the Indian market because it was the exact physique and standard blonde of an American. 

Later many designers experimented with the doll customizing it with Indian looks. The on-off relationship of Barbie doll with her boyfriend Ken was another cultural shock for Indians. Even though the movie Barbie prepared by Greta Gerwig, discusses topics like beauty standards, patriarchal practices, and consumerism, it could not attract an audience to theatres because of a lack of familiarity towards the Barbie culture.