What makes this movie as great as it is lies in the performances of the cast. Cillian Murphy has become one of my favorite actors in the industry, due largely in part to his exceptional work as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, but his performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer is his career best performance. He does an outstanding job capturing the emotions of a conflicted man, bringing the audience right into his mind. His struggle with his decisions shows a hero, but a flawed one, which one can identify with as we're all flawed. He serves as a picture of humanity's decision making process. It's also amazing to watch this movie as we get it through his view point, which is one of the most intriguing aspects. He has this ability to see beyond what is happening in the now, so his viewpoint being filled with vibrant color works so well. Watch how he becomes fearful of the power he wields. It's really interesting to watch as everybody around him is thinking about the present, wanting him to keep building bigger and more effective bombs, while his keen intellect allows him to realize the ramifications of even considering it. Murphy's performance really provides the different layers of the intriguing person Oppenheimer was, and is indicative of a truly gifted actor. Oppenheimer certainly had a life filled with challenges and regrets, but, IMO, he's also one of the most important people in human history.
Another performance that I felt was excellent was Robert Downey, Jr.'s Lewis Strauss! Downey has had several great performances in his career, but, aforementioned, much like Murphy I'd consider this his best work as well. Where Oppenheimer's point of view is in vibrant color, Strauss's is in black and white, because he only sees things certain ways and only does things to serve himself rather than the American people or anybody else around him. It's a fantastic dichotomy that really adds to the overall story. In many ways, the story of Oppenheimer and Strauss is very Shakespearean, and I could easily see ol' William Shakespeare writing this as a play and putting it at the Globe Theater for all to see. Their interactions show two different minds, but Downey's performance as Strauss really shows an underhanded, despicable human being that will stop at nothing to gain more power no matter who he has to take out along the way. He's such a great part of the movie, though, and really provides that extra dramatic element to the movie. It's a character you love to hate, and it's all because Downey took the ball and ran with it, providing a phenomenal foil almost serving as a Lex Luthor to Murphy's, albeit flawed, but still heroic, porkpie hat wearing Superman.
Along with these brilliant performances, writing and directing, the effects were astounding, particularly the Trinity test scenes. The utter silence as everybody watches is tremendous. The silence speaks volumes approach is so effective here. The audience watches the cloud rise high and the wondrous, but also treacherous nature of the fire is visually stunning. Then, you're hit with a cacophony of the blaring sounds emanating from this monstrosity. It's both magnificent and malevolent at the same time. The use of color and black and white to dance between view points is great keeping each aspect of the movie flowing, and adding to the overall feel and general scope of the story unfolding before our eyes. The musical score by Ludwig Goransson is truly one of the best as it captures tension marvelously, and, as a result, the music becomes a living, breathing part of the movie.
Through brilliant writing and directing by Christopher Nolan, excellent performances from Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey, Jr., great supporting performances by Emily Blunt, Tom Conti, Matt Damon, Gary Oldman and Rami Malek, a layered plot centering around the conundrum that is humanity, as well as the music and the effects, this movie represents importance, significance as well as cultural relevance to our world, while also truly serving as a great movie allowing audiences to appreciate what makes watching them such an incredible experience.
