Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerhas proven to be more than a sidekick toBarbieas it followed up its 2023 box office success with a huge win at theAcademy Awards. The biographical drama has been building up to this moment over the last few months, with Nolan, Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy collecting numerous accolades at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and more. Now, the film’s triumphant run has hit its peak.
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimerhas solidified Nolan’s reputation as one of the most versatile filmmakers in Hollywood. Although his latest movie did not include the kind ofhead-scratching moments ofTenetorInception, or the comic book action ofThe Dark Knight, the movie delivered a complex analysis of moral and ethical issues, and the personal cost of advancement in science and technology. In the current world climate, this almost century-old story resonates more than ever.
The film’s success at the Oscars included wins for Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan, Best Actor for Murphy, and Best Supporting Actor for Downey Jr. along with several others to deliver a total haul of 13 Oscars.
Oppenheimer’s Success Goes Beyond Oscar Glory
Oppenheimer’s triumphant night at the Oscars is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the success of the movie. A film likeOppenheimerwould usually do well in box office returns, but it would not often compete with big summer blockbusters to be one of the highest grossing movies of the year. Spurred on by itsunexpected partnering with Margot Robbie-ledBarbie, Oppenheimerbecame the third-highest grossing movie of 2023, taking more than the total grosses ofAnt-Man and the Wasp Quantumania,The Flash, andThe Marvelscombined – something that could not have been foreseen a few years ago.
Outside the financial and critical success ofOppenheimer,Nolan’s dedication to the use of practical effectsover CGI has also highlighted how the industry’s reliance on computer-generated visuals is not always necessary. Could anything seen inOppenheimerhave looked better if they had harnessed the power of CGI? Probably not, and that makes a statement all of its own.
Einstein and the Bomb Fills in the Blanks Oppenheimer Left Out
Even though Einstein is featured in Oppenheimer, there is much more backstory to the esteemed scientist than is shown in the award-winning movie.
Oppenheimerhas changed the face of cinema in a way that is strangely parallel to how its titular scientist changed the face of nuclear weaponry. Nolan has put together a movie that, in other hands, could have become an overblown, CGI-laden dud. Instead, he had given life to the biographical drama genre, and advocated the use of practical effects to a world that seemed engrossed in what has become the most successful movie of his career in many areas.
Oppenheimeris currently available to stream on Peacock Premium.
