It used to be that most Oscar-winning movies were released in the fall of that calendar year, but that is no longer the case. As of late, movies released at any time, have had success. For example, Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won “Best Picture,” came out in March. This year’s slate is no different. I think Oppenheimer, released July 21, should win a number of Oscars, here’s why.
Many overlook how much the musical atmosphere of the score adds to a movie’s depth and meaning. Ludwig Göransson score for Oppenheimer is, in my opinion, one of the greats; the violin basis of the score transitions from soft sound quality to a screeching, intense melody, and then to a quiet, whispery tone, all of which providing insight into the extreme inner dilemma of the films main character, J. Robert Oppenheimer. The music sets this intense and engaging mood, drawing the viewer in and making the film even more interesting to watch. Göransson’s score should win an Oscar for, you guessed it, Best Score.
But it’s not just the score that makes Oppenheimer stand out. It would be hard to argue that the cast, which includes Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., and Matt Damon, just to name a few, is anything less than a star-studded ensemble. Murphy, who plays Oppenheimer, is engaging and conveys the inner conflict of the scientist at the forefront of the development of the nuclear bomb. It’s likely that he’ll be in the running for Best Actor in a Leading Role, given he just won the Golden Globe for his performance. It would be a well-earned first Oscar win.
Above all else, the plot and direction carry the film. It chronicles the development of the atomic bomb used against Japan at the end of World War II but has multiple side stories that wipe away any dull moments. Oppenheimer himself was, to a certain extent, a sympathizer of the Communist Party and a close acquaintance to many known members of the party, which brings some characters to question the security of the top-secret atomic mission. The movie also dives into Oppenheimer’s conflicted love affairs and the difficulty of working at a top-secret base in the middle of New Mexico. Christopher Nolan masterfully lays out the story, ensuring he’ll be in the running for Best Director.
Oppenheimer is a thrilling watch that’ll both entertain you and leave you with a better understanding of the stressful Manhattan Project. I highly recommend watching if you haven’t already before this year’s Oscars Ceremony.
