Spike Lee Praises Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer but Unveils One Major Critique

Summary

Spike Lee praises Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer as a great film but criticizes its omission of the impact on the Japanese people from dropping the atomic bombs.

Lee argues for additional focus on the long-term consequences that Japan faced, including the devastating impact of vaporization and radiation exposure on its people.

Although highly regarded, Oppenheimer fails to address the aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the displacement of indigenous populations caused by the construction of the Trinity project.

Spike Lee praises Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer but raises a significant issue. Known for his socially-conscious films like She’s Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing, BlacKkKlansman, and Malcolm X, Lee acknowledges Nolan's success as a blockbuster director with The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar, and the recently successful biopic Oppenheimer.

While Lee admires Oppenheimer, he does have a major critique. In an interview with The Washington Post, Lee expresses his desire for Nolan to delve deeper into the effects of the nuclear bombings on Japan and its people. Despite considering Oppenheimer a "great film," Lee feels that more attention should have been given to the long-term consequences suffered by the Japanese citizens. Here is Lee's full quote:

"I would like to add some more minutes about what happened to the Japanese people. Dropping these two nuclear bombs on Japan had significant long-term effects, and I think it would have been valuable for Nolan to explore this aspect in Oppenheimer."

Chris Nolan's film 'Oppenheimer' is incredible. I actually screened his film 'Dunkirk' in my class. I have a comment rather than a criticism: I'm curious about the length of 'Oppenheimer.' If it's a three-hour film, I personally feel it would be beneficial to dedicate some additional minutes to explore the impact on the Japanese people. It's an important aspect to consider, given the devastating consequences such as vaporization and radiation. I acknowledge that Nolan is a powerful filmmaker who has the ability to influence studios. Personally, I would have appreciated seeing the film conclude by illustrating the aftermath of dropping the nuclear bombs on Japan. I say all this with utmost respect, as I believe even great filmmakers like Nolan would have their own ideas about what they may have changed in their previous works like 'Do the Right Thing' and 'Malcolm X.'

Why Spike Lee is Right About Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer's three-hour run time seemingly left little room for additional content. However, the film's narrative extends beyond the bombings, delving into the aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki solely through J. Robert Oppenheimer's traumatic perspective. While Oppenheimer envisions the impact of the explosions on individuals, the film refrains from depicting actual Japanese people.

The neglect of run time in relation to Japan's experience is not the sole significant omission in Oppenheimer. During the construction of Trinity in the desert, the real-life individuals involved relocated indigenous populations and placed them near a hazardous nuclear testing site. Consequently, these Native American communities were also exposed to radiation for many years. Oppenheimer briefly mentions the presence of the "Indians" during Trinity's development.

When assessing the film's strengths, it is crucial to recognize how Oppenheimer skillfully navigates problematic historical elements. Despite presenting a narrative rooted in intricate and flawed moral choices, Oppenheimer deliberately avoids addressing the impact on two significant groups of people. Despite its critical acclaim, the fact that respected figures like Lee are highlighting its narrative shortcomings serves as a constructive means of addressing its faults.