Oppenheimer

“Brilliance makes up for a lot,” reasons the title character early in Oppenheimer, an indulgent yet invigorating true-life thriller that proves its subject’s theory both right and wrong.

This longtime passion project from director Christopher Nolan is a stirring biopic about the man credited with creating the atomic bomb that puts the inherent moral complexities of his story front and center.

While it offers the requisite deep-dive into the life and career of famed physicist Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, the film excels at providing context to his legacy, and examining the enduring (if dubious) relevance of his accomplishments.

After all, his work in overseeing development of the world’s preeminent weapon of mass destruction influenced the Cold War, the nuclear arms race, and ongoing global power struggles. But Nolan persuasively argues that behind the scenes, he was a misunderstood genius who became a scapegoat during a time of intense sociopolitical turmoil.

The film traces the soft-spoken Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) as he’s tabbed to teach at Princeton during the late 1940s, during a time of postwar unease, especially in the Pacific. He gained a following for his lectures but also ruffled feathers by advocating for social causes.

Known for his broad scientific expertise, he’s recruited by shifty bureaucrat Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) to lead the Manhattan Project, a top-secret effort involving the world’s leading scientists under the direction of Army officer Leslie Groves (Matt Damon). They gathered at the makeshift New Mexico town of Los Alamos to develop an atomic bomb, without strategic knowledge of its eventual deployment.

Behind the scenes, Oppenheimer was dogged by accusations of Communist involvement, partially because of his tough-minded wife (Emily Blunt), who remained loyal despite his affair with an ex-girlfriend (Florence Pugh).

Although its nonlinear structure can be frustrating, Nolan’s dense screenplay is insightful. The talky exposition of the first hour gives way to an escalating undercurrent of ticking-clock suspense that seems fitting for a movie about explosives. The sequence involving the bomb test at Los Alamos is riveting in its buildup and aftermath.

Meanwhile, a thoughtfully understated performance by Murphy (The Dark Knight) digs beneath Oppenheimer’s speech and mannerisms to probe his intellect, ego, ambition, and vulnerability in equal measure. The excellent supporting ensemble features Kenneth Branagh, Jason Clarke, Matthew Modine, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek, and Gary Oldman.

Shot by ace cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema (Dunkirk), the film is sharply crafted and technically polished, toggling between visual styles with a meticulous eye for period detail.

Nolan draws parallels between Oppenheimer and mythological fire god Prometheus — two men whose noble intentions yielded tragic consequences. In raising the emotional stakes, the film provides more than just a valuable history lesson.

Rated R, 180 minutes.