Prolific writer-director Christopher Nolan brings out the big guns in this sweeping, star-studded look at the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a brilliant American theoretical physicist who'll become known as the father of the atomic bomb. In the late 1930s Oppenheimer is a physics golden boy who's committed to thinking freely about how to improve the world, but to some important people he's a dilettante, a womanizer, even a suspected communist. No matter where his loyalties lie, he's recruited to head the Manhattan Project--a chain reaction which could destroy the world, but that's secondary to the American military as long as they can make a breakthrough before the Nazis can. Run time makes it hard to keep the heightened tension flowing but Nolan shows a mastery of visual spectacle, and he's also chosen his cast wisely as no matter the scope of the role each actor is in top form, with a confident Murphy in the lead, plus strong work from an underhanded Downey as well. Nolan's script is drawn out, even didactic at times, but rife with spellbinding moments and intelligent dialogue, perfectly captured by an outstanding ensemble. ***
Review of Oppenheimer
