“I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world…!” Wait a second. Check your ticket, quick. Oh, no!
Jokes aside, the marketing campaign that combined the two radically different films that are “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” deserves applause. The so-called “Barbenheimer” attests to the power of memes, with cyberspace determining that the two strikingly dissimilar films would go together like wine and cheese.
Here, “Barbie” is clearly the cheese – tasty, appealing to all – while “Oppenheimer” is dark, bittersweet, and an acquired taste.
The latter is directed by Christopher Nolan, but don’t expect another “Inception” or “The Dark Knight”. Instead, “Oppenheimer” is a historical biopic telling the story of the man who invented the deadliest weapon mankind has ever seen.
While the movie has the hallmarks of a Nolan flick, it takes itself very seriously, and if you don’t relish the thought of watching three hours of conversation, you’d best be catching “Barbie” next door.
But if you are willing to sit through the nitty-gritty of science and politics, then “Oppenheimer” is likely right up your alley.
The story follows J Robert Oppenheimer, a talented physicist who would take charge of the Manhattan Project, the research-and-development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons.
The depicted events of Oppenheimer’s life are not chronological, with flashbacks and flashforwards here and there. It’s easy to get lost early on, so just keep in mind that the events lead up to the Manhattan Project and its aftermath.
Parts of the movie are in colour, others in black and white. Nolan has said the coloured scenes are told from Oppenheimer’s perspective, while the others are from the viewpoints of those around him.
It’s difficult to understand why the director chose to do this, especially when some scenes are left ambiguous in terms of colour.
In terms of acting talent, “Oppenheimer” has no shortage. There’s Cillian Murphy as the main man himself; Matt Damon as general Leslie Groves, who directed the Manhattan Project; Emily Blunt as Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty; and Robert Downey Jr as chairman Lewis Strauss.
Four big names, right there – and those are not the only ones! Keep an eye out for Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Josh Hartnett, and Gary Oldman.
Murphy, as always, is a brilliant actor who can say a thousand words without uttering a single one. His expressions speak volumes.
In an instant, the well-meaning, if naïve, man can transform into a composed but utterly terrified soul, his eyes screaming while his lips are pursed.
Murphy is often cast as a side or supporting character, so it’s gratifying that “Oppenheimer” proves he can also excel in a lead role.
His is a character who understands the need for the nuclear bomb to end World War II more swiftly, but also knows there would be a price to pay. And sure enough, the realisation that he has blood on his hands haunts him afterwards.
Meanwhile, Downey Jr might be best-known as Iron Man, but Nolan has allowed him to demonstrate that he has always been a gifted dramatic actor.
With his old-man hairdo, he is virtually unrecognisable in his role but remains a captivating presence each time he is on screen.
And even though it turns out he has less-than-savoury qualities, you can’t help but agree with him on some of the points he makes about Oppenheimer.
The movie also features several memorable and powerful scenes, mostly revolving around Oppenheimer’s realisation of the horrors of a nuclear attack.
In one instance, Oppenheimer is addressing a cheering classroom when everything goes quiet and a bright white flash blinds him. In the silence, a terrified scream pierces through.
The use of nuclear weapons during the war arguably saved more lives than it took, but the effects of that decision still echo to this day.
To paraphrase a character’s line, the genie is out of the lamp and will not go back in. It’s certainly a disturbing thought, especially in this volatile time of ours.
As of press time, ‘Oppenheimer’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.