#Oppenheimer's Storytelling Secrets Revealed

[creativenorthtv]

Oppenheimer's Storytelling Secrets Revealed

[denimbex1986]

'Looking back, 2023 was a year of wild swings. And two big strikes (if you’ll forgive the pun) — first the Writers Guild and then the Screen Actors Guild took the studios and streamers to task, forcing production to a halt. Yet whatever was going on behind the scenes, Hollywood had a grand-slam year, asserting its audacious cultural relevance with the historic double-header that was “Barbenheimer.”

Variety’s two chief film critics agree that Christopher Nolan’s portrait of the man behind the Manhattan Project is one for the ages — a “Lawrence of Arabia”-level feat about a turning point in human history, as seen through the haunted blue eyes of one of our finest actors...

Peter Debruge’s Top 10...

2. Oppenheimer

I admit to being underwhelmed by “Oppenheimer” on first viewing. (Hard to imagine, considering the scale, but it didn’t help that the Imax print broke at the film’s press screening, forcing the theater to switch over to a lower-res backup projector — a twist that must have horrified control freak Christopher Nolan.) Grand as anything David Lean ever directed, this massive, awe-powered biopic had been marketed as the making of the atomic bomb, the detonation of which occurs at the two-hour mark, with a third of the movie still to go. Turns out, that last hour holds the (moral) key to why Nolan had to tell this story. After racing to beat the Germans, Manhattan Project super-brain J. Robert Oppenheimer (a never-better Cillian Murphy) faces the terrifying ramifications of what he’s wrought: We now live in a world of nuclear weapons, whose secrets inevitably fell into dangerous hands. I should have known that “Oppenheimer” would demand multiple viewings, as that was true of “Memento,” “Inception” and nearly all Nolan’s films. My advice to you: See it as big as possible as many times as it takes...

Owen Gleiberman's Top 10

1. Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan’s mesmerizing drama became a testament to the promise that serious movies for adults can, and will, have a future in movie theaters. In the wake of its success, however, many have asked: How is it that a densely packed three-hour movie about the father of the atomic bomb became a big-ticket blockbuster on the level of films featuring superheroes, avatars, and Tom Cruise? The answer lies in Nolan’s wizardry as a storyteller. He stages “Oppenheimer” as a coruscating light show of history, dazzling in every detail. It’s a film that draws you in with centrifugal force, even at it both celebrates and interrogates the fabled figure of J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy as a charismatic mandarin whose scientific genius is matched by his self-justifying insolence. If you think the movie falls off in its last third, you haven’t watched it closely enough. Long after the bomb has been dropped, Nolan uses both the extended 1954 security hearing and the amazing performance of Robert Downey Jr. to place Oppenheimer in the crosshairs of judgment, revealing that his delusions were nearly as large as his heroism...'

[denimbex1986]

'Christopher Nolan, known for his mind-bending narratives and visually stunning films, has become one of the most celebrated directors of our time. This month marks the release of what is arguably the biggest movie of his career so far, Oppenheimer. Between amassing a cast of highly sought-after actors that includes Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Robert Downey Jr. (among many others) and pulling off a nuclear explosion without CGI, it's safe to say that Oppenheimer is one of the most anticipated movies of the year.

With movies like Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and Interstellar under his belt, it's easy to overlook Nolan's humble beginnings. We take a step back in time and explore Nolan's directorial debut, Following. Released in 1998, this black and white neo-noir film sets the stage for Nolan's signature style and offers a glimpse into the mind of a budding genius.

What Is Following About? Following tells the story of a young, unnamed writer (played by Jeremy Theobald) who becomes fascinated with the lives of strangers. His curiosity leads him to a life of petty burglary, breaking into people's homes and observing their lives, until he crosses paths with a charismatic thief named Cobb (played by Alex Haw). Cobb takes the writer under his wing, introducing him to the world of professional burglary and manipulation. As the plot unfolds, the lines between reality and fiction blur, and the protagonist finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and intrigue.

Thematically, Following delves into the concepts of identity, obsession, and the consequences of one's actions. Nolan explores the notion of voyeurism and the allure of anonymity, as the writer finds himself both drawn to and repelled by the secrets he uncovers. The film raises questions about the nature of storytelling and the power dynamics that exist within relationships. With its non-linear narrative structure, Following challenges the audience to piece together the fragmented puzzle and engage in an active viewing experience.

How Following Gave Us a Visionary Filmmaker Following serves as a testament to Nolan's emerging talent as a filmmaker. Shot on a shoestring budget and using guerrilla-style techniques, the film showcases Nolan's resourcefulness and ability to craft a compelling story with limited resources. The use of black and white cinematography not only adds to the film's noir aesthetic, but also helps to create a sense of timelessness and mystery, which explains why audiences gave the film an 85% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The remaining reasons for its positive reception probably come from the fact that Nolan's trademark narrative complexity is already evident in Following. The film employs a non-linear structure, jumping back and forth in time to gradually reveal crucial details and deepen the suspense. This narrative experimentation would become a hallmark of Nolan's later works, captivating audiences and challenging conventional storytelling.

Following also introduces some recurring themes and motifs that have come to define Nolan's filmography. The exploration of identity, moral ambiguity, and the manipulation of time all find their roots in this early work. Additionally, the film showcases Nolan's meticulous attention to detail, as every frame and line of dialogue is carefully constructed to convey meaning and evoke emotion.

Christopher Nolan’s Projects After Following

After the release of Following, Nolan's career took off, solidifying his position as one of the most influential and respected directors in the industry. The success of his debut film opened doors for him to explore larger-scale projects while maintaining his distinct artistic vision. With films such as Memento, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Interstellar, The Prestige, Tenet, and Dunkirk, Nolan established himself as a legend within the film industry.

The most recent venture of Nolan’s is the 2023 movie Oppenheimer, which features a “star-studded cast that includes Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr.,” according to People Magazine. The film is based on actual events and chronicles the tale of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his contribution to the creation of the atomic bomb. Overall, Christopher Nolan has continually challenged audiences throughout his career while engrossing them with his distinctive narrative techniques and provocative ideas.'