Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film Oppenheimer is generating a lot of excitement as its release date approaches. News outlets have been abuzz with the announcement that Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh will share scenes involving "prolonged nudity." Nolan, known for his impressive filmmaking techniques, is expected to wow audiences once again with this upcoming release. Fans are eagerly looking forward to Oppenheimer, which combines practical effects, IMAX cameras, and powerful storytelling to depict a pivotal moment in history.
While not much is known about Oppenheimer before its late July release, much of the film's marketing is tied to its simultaneous release with Greta Gerwig's Barbie. Nevertheless, audiences around the world are eagerly anticipating what appears to be Christopher Nolan's most ambitious project to date. The latest trailer confirms an exceptional ensemble cast, including renowned actors Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh, who join Cillian Murphy in portraying J. Robert Oppenheimer.
What is Oppenheimer about?
Oppenheimer is a film adaptation of the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Martin Sherwin and Kai Bird, which explores the events surrounding the creation of the atom bomb in World War II.
J. Robert Oppenheimer, renowned as a scientist, is best remembered for his leadership in The Manhattan Project. This military initiative aimed to develop the atomic bomb for the United States during the peak of World War II. In later years, Oppenheimer took on the role of chairman of the US Atomic Energy Commission, working towards slowing the escalating nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Oppenheimer was labeled a communist in 1954 due to his association with multiple flagged organizations. Despite being relieved of his government position, he continued to make significant contributions to the scientific community. Pursuing a career in teaching and theoretical physics, he received three Nobel Prize nominations in physics before passing away in 1967.
In regards to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, it remains unclear if the film will chronicle J. Robert Oppenheimer's life post-atomic bomb creation. However, it is known that The Manhattan Project will heavily influence the movie's storyline. The visual effects of Oppenheimer are anticipated to be remarkable as it will be filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, without any reliance on CGI.
Who is Florence Pugh playing in Oppenheimer?
Florence Pugh has joined the cast of Oppenheimer as Jean Tatlock, a psychiatrist, member of the Communist Party, and a close friend of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Tatlock, a trailblazing woman in the field of science during the mid-20th century, faced personal struggles with her mental health in later years. Despite her tragic ending, her significant influence on J. Robert Oppenheimer's legacy remained steadfast.
Born in 1914 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jean Tatlock was the daughter of Marjorie and John Tatlock. Her father, a renowned professor of English literature at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Harvard, instilled a passion for literature in her. However, Jean Tatlock took a different path professionally and pursued a medical degree at Stanford University. She successfully graduated in 1941 and went on to work in the psychiatric department at Mount Zion Hospital in California. As a committed leftist, her involvement with communist groups in the Bay Area played a crucial role in Oppenheimer's eventual removal from the US military.
Tatlock and Oppenheimer crossed paths in 1936 through shared acquaintances. At the time, Tatlock was a student at Stanford while Oppenheimer taught at Berkley. Their relationship, characterized by its intermittent nature, endured for several years. It grew increasingly intense, to the point where Tatlock involved Oppenheimer in the political groups she was affiliated with. However, between 1939 and 1943, their meetings became less frequent as Oppenheimer devoted his efforts to the secretive Manhattan Project. In 1943, Oppenheimer managed to sneak away from his base in Los Alamos, New Mexico, to visit Tatlock after she experienced a bout of depression. Tragically, Tatlock took her own life several months later on January 4th, 1944, at the age of 29.
The impact of Tatlock on Oppenheimer's life was profound, making her death a significant and irreversible loss for him. It was even speculated that the Trinity Test conducted in 1945 was named after their shared beloved poet, John Donne, as a tribute to Jean Tatlock.
Oppenheimer releases in theaters on July 21, 2023.