Get Tickets OPPENHEIMER opens July 21st
You will never look at some of the world’s most significant historical events the same way after seeing them retold by Christopher Nolan. The visionary filmmaker – also known for bringing Batman back to the big screen and redefining how we perceive our own dreams with 2010’s INCEPTION – first showed us a taste of his unique perspective on history by depicting one of the most significant moments from the early days of World War II in 2017’s DUNKIRK. Now, he is putting his own ambitious spin on the moment that ultimately ended that turbulent time in one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2023, OPPENHEIMER.
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning, non-fiction book, “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, this AMC Artisan Film is far more than just a biopic. This is a meditative commentary on a certain fear that all of mankind shares and how easily it can be simplified down to a science and exploited in vastly destructive ways of a varying degree. However, before we get too deep into — and before you get the chance to see the film at AMC Theatres — let’s go through the basics of what to expect from OPPENHEIMER.
Development Of The Atomic Bomb
Any moviegoer who has read up on their history knows that, when we described OPPENHEIMER as a film about what ended World War II, we were referring to when the United States government dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in Japan’s surrender on September 2, 1945. This film, specifically, depicts the events leading up to that monumental endeavor as scientists and engineers raced to make the weapon a reality and ponders its lasting aftermath – mostly from the perspective of its title character, J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The non-linear narrative traces how the revered theoretical physicist gained the expertise that earned him his leading position on the Manhattan Project, his struggles to maintain the operation as crises of faith and personal relationships get in the way, and how he grapples with the world-changing effects of his creation. Nolan goes so far as aiming to place the audience directly in Oppenheimer’s mind by garnishing some of its most crucial moments with visually arresting imagery that seems to represent how he perceives scientific phenomena.
A Star-Studded Event
Starring as Oppenheimer is Cilian Murphy — whose frequent collaborations with Nolan date back as early as the DARK KNIGHT trilogy and as recently as DUNKIRK — alongside first-time Nolan collaborator Emily Blunt as his wife, Kitty. Matt Damon — who made a memorable cameo in Nolan’s 2014 sci-fi epic, INTERSTELLAR — plays the director of the Manhattan Project, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves. Also making their Nolan movie debuts are Marvel movie stars Robert Downey Jr. as U.S. Atomic Energy Commission chairman Lewis Strauss and Florence Pugh as a past lover of Oppenheimer’s named Jean.
Now, that barely scratches the surface of all the high-profile who appear in the OPPPENHEIMER cast — which also includes the likes of Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Josh Hartnett, Benny Safdie, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby, Kenneth Branagh and so, so many more whom we do not have the room to mention. Just know that this film is an esteemed cinematic event just because its vast ensemble of recognizable, acclaimed talents alone.
Nolan Goes Old School
Most would agree that Christopher Nolan is a very gifted storyteller full of wickedly creative ideas, such as telling a film noir mystery in reverse — MEMENTO — or imagining a world in which dreams can be bought and sold, like in INCEPTION. Yet, most would also agree that what truly makes him one of the most unique artists of his time is his ambitious approach to the technical mastery of his films and OPPENHEIMER is certainly no exception.
While seeing a Nolan special shot on film — by Academy Award®-nominated cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, in this case — is certainly nothing new, OPPENHEIMER makes sure the audience realizes they are experiencing the film in celluloid by boasting a distinct, grainy texture. It makes the film appear to be an authentic documentation of history and looks especially appetizing in IMAX.
Experience IMAX
Among the many exciting movies being shown in IMAX at AMC Theatres this year, OPPENHEIMER is one you absolutely do not want to miss. It does not take an education in theoretical physics to understand why.
While the film’s unique cinematography is a wonder to behold from beginning to end, there is one scene that really makes seeing OPPENHEIMER on the biggest screen possible and with the most clear and immersive sound quality possible a must: the atomic bomb test. Without giving too much away (not that we could because the sequence defies description anyway), the execution of this literally explosive scene will have audiences glued to their seats in awe. Watch our exclusive interview with the cast as they discuss the filming of “The Trinity Test” with Nolan.
Fans of Christopher Nolan’s work and history buffs will undoubtedly find something to admire about OPPENHEIMER. Watch the world change before your very eyes by checking it out when it comes to an AMC Theatres location near you!
Get Tickets OPPENHEIMER opens July 21st
