Film Oppenhimer review

Trailer 

 

The new film by Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer," has made waves around the planet. Two movies released on Jul 21, 2023, "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie", from the opposite end of the spectrum, hit the box office at the theatre. The film is about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who spearheaded the development of the atomic bomb. The film is based on the book "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird (Author), Martin J. Sherwin (Author):" (My review of the book - in construction).  The book won the Pulitzer Prize and is absolutely worth the read. You may download the book from my Google Drive (I periodically check and grant permission to download the book for the required e-mail ). It took a rare collaboration between two indefatigable writers — and 25 years — to write the prizewinning Oppenheimer biography that inspired the film. It is one of the best biographies I have come across.

The film reviews, generally very positive, are covered in all media, from conservative to progressive, small newspapers and big ones, Scientific journals to household magazines, in the USA, U.K., and India in multiple languages. The same is true for podcasts and T.V. shows. ! I rank the film as 8.5 out of 10 and recommend it as a must-see film. for cinephiles who love biopic and historical films " 

Oppenheimer's shadow has screeched into the 21st century after eight decades. We are still living in the Nuclear age he helped to create, We are still confronted with the same moral and political dilemma. The film offers a chance to reinvigorate the public debate about the  Nuclear threat,  the role of politicians vs technocrats,  and societal regulation with the new booming threat of Artificial intelligence It also offers a very valid reminder of using political ideology and sympathy as a weapon to address the political agenda and mischaracterize the person with lies.  Oppenheimer was also a Communist sympathizer in his early years unlike  his troubled lover and his wife and son-like younger brother was never a party member.  He was always loyal to the USA. However, his opponent made continuous attempts to label him as a traitor. His political sympathies was enough to disqualify him after  the purpose of making the Atomic bomb was over 

 

The film is also playing in IMAX theatres. The film begins with ripples expanding in puddles as raindrops fall. Three hours later, we get a vision of Earth beginning to burn as nuclear explosions bloom across the globe. Oppenheimer is played by Cillian Murphy, who catches the quiet inquietude of the man, his moral dilemma, and his tobacco-softened speech. He has played all roles of different ages. Oppenheimer; The film is focused on his tenure as director of the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico, where the bomb was built and post-bomb inquiry by witch-hunting in the McCarthy era of investigations and anti-communist crusade. 1954 investigation is in color, taking the secret clearance of Oppenheimer away. There is another flashback about the senate hearing of Oppenhiemer's chief antagonist Lewis Strauss for his nomination as the commerce secretary. 

One of the things that grabbed more extensive attention was Oppenheim's fascination with learning Sanskrit. Conducted in secret, the test called "Trinity" worked. As Oppenheimer later recounted in a 1965 interview, the moment had called to mind a line from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita: "Vishnu is trying to persuade the prince that he should do his duty, and to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' I suppose we all thought that, one way or another." It is repeated twice in the film. The words he reads aloud, which he translates from Sanskrit, are those of the god Krishna – "I become death, the destroyer of worlds" Once with his girlfriend/lover Jean Tatlock in the bedroom scene. It prompted outrage among the Hindu right-wing in India, who have alleged that a sex scene featuring a sacred text has offended religious sentiments. 

I think the Hindu right-wing protest in India is totally misunderstood, incongruous, counter-productive and even ridiculous. It reminds me of the protest from the religious Christians/Evangelists in the film "last temptation" or "Lady of Heaven", a film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, after the movie sparked peaceful protests by British Muslims.

The bang in the movie is Trinity test —the first detonation of a nuclear device, in July 1945 is intense. Many observers, including Oppenheimer's boss, General Leslie R. Groves (Matt Damon), lie flat on the ground.

 A few weeks after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Oppenheimer wrote a letter to the Secretary of War warning that "the safety of this nation…cannot lie wholly or even primarily in its scientific or technical prowess. It can be based only on making future wars impossible."

 The young physicist "Oppie" had soon rubbed shoulders with the most significant scientific figures of his age, and his academic work advanced quantum theory and predicted everything from the neutron to the black hole. He was also a voracious learner outside of the sciences, learning Sanskrit, studying religion, and aligning himself with various progressive causes.

Politicians' unfair mistreatment of Oppenheimer despite his being loyal to the USA and having enormous contributions is indeed sad. It reminds me of another great biographical thriller film, "Imitation Game" The Imitation Game tells the true story of British mathematician and computer pioneer Alan Turing, who helped break crucial secret codes, particularly those sent on Germany's Enigma machine during World War II. He was penalized for being Gay. Later British Government apologized for his bad treatment. 

 

The movie also does a great job of presenting the tensions surrounding the removal of Oppenheimer's security clearance after the Second World War and the subsequent downfall of Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, who sought Oppenheimer's fall from grace. It's also beautifully filmed, especially the scenes on location in Los Alamos in New Mexico.

In the case of Oppenheimer, President Johnson gave him the Enrico Fermi Award. In December of 2022, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm signed an order vacating a 1954 decision by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to revoke J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance.

Oppenhiemer's personal challenges to deal with depression in his twenties remind him of another genius John Bash in the film "beautiful mind."  

The appearance of Albert Einstein was weak and unnecessary. Both nude scenes of Oppenheimer and his lover Jean are unnecessary as well. As good as the film is, it dwarfs compared to the book on which the film is based. The book covers many other aspects of the life of Oppenheimer, which has the feel of a Shakespearian drama and a much better understanding of the very complex genius person Oppenheimer was. The book and the film provide little info on the technical aspect of the atomic bomb and quantum physics or the contributions of dozens of the great minds of the era. However, there are enough very intriguing pointers that made me subscribe to streaming platforms like CuriosityStream and Wondrium(with several tutorials from "the great courses" and several education sites) and Magellan TV. 

I suggest seeing the film after some homework to get more out of the film. Personally, I am enamored by the film a lot more by the book. I am considering seeing the movie again to understand some details better as I know the real characters better, 

References 

Newspapers and magazines 

Oppenhiemer film Who's who ;  Needed to understand the real like characters and actors

Oppenheimer's: An Ominous Origin Story

Christopher Nolan's new film about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who spearheaded the development of the atomic bomb, opened on Jul 21.

• A Blockbuster Turnout: The incongruous duo of "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" combined to sell far more tickets than expected over the films' opening weekend.
• Robert Downey Jr.: The actor co-stars in "Oppenheimer" as the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Oppenheimer's chief antagonist. For him, the film represented a career reset.
• To Great Lengths: The IMAX 70-millimeter format is usually associated with action. But Nolan says "Oppenheimer" benefited from the tall image.
• 'American Prometheus': It took a rare collaboration between two indefatigable writers — and 25 years — to write the prizewinning Oppenheimer biography that inspired the film. One of the best scientific biographies to appear in recent years
• Robert Oppenheimer's Top Ten Books in "Christian Century"  Top ten books identified  by Oppenhiemer  in an interview in 1963. Includes Bhagavad-Gita,  
  The Three Centuries (Satakatrayam)       Bhartrhari
• J. Robert Oppenheimer Cleared of ‘Black Mark’ After 68 Years  US Energy Secretary, Jennifer M. Granholm,made a statement "  bar Oppenheimer’s clearance was the result of a “flawed process” that violated its own regulations.". Justice against the false allegations after 68 years. 

 National Geographic(NG)

(The devastating legacy of U.S. nuclear tests still lingers today.):Disaster legacy (N.G.) 

https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/letter-to-secretary-of-war-henry-stimson/

J. Robert Oppenheimer and the American Century by David Cassidy ( download  from My Google Drive) . In Greek mythology, Prometheus is  referred to as the God of Fire. 

Prometheus is best known for defying the Olympian gods by stealing fire from them and giving 

it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge, and more generally, civilization.

Other relevant films:

1. A Compassionate Spy documentary   by Steve Janes ( In theater or rental $7). The film tells the story of Manhattan Project physicist and Soviet Union spy Theodore Hall. Characters also covered  in the book . 
2. The  Atomic Bomb: Crash Course in History of Science 
3. Exploring Quantum history  with  Brian Greene  at the t the  Curiosity stream  ( 4parts) 
4. Many worlds of Quantum Mechanics 
5. The Truth about Franco - Spain's civil war  4 episodes (Oppenheimer was deeply disturbed against Franco and collected  funds to support the rebel , his wife's 1st husband volunteered to  fight against Franco and died) 
6. Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018 Bollywood)

Podcasts 

 There are many. The one that I heard are: 

• Oppenheimer: "Destroyer of worlds" History Extra podcast Robert Oppenheimer with Kai Bird (the co-author) 
•  Oppenheimer: The Father of the Atom Bomb The Rest Is History 
• From My Nuclear Life 

Books 

1. The Making of the Atomic Bomb  –by Richard Rhodes (Author) ** Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle Award**  download 
2. Robert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the Center by Ray Monk  (Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, biographer)  download 
3. J. Robert Oppenheimer and the American Century by David C  Cassiday   Download 
4. Stalin's War: A New History of World War II  by by Sean McMeekin  . "The subtitle is slightly misleading:The reason to read McMeekin after watching “Oppenheimer” is that his book provides a corrective to the movie’s final act" per Ross Douthat'scopinion 
5. The Gita of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by James A. Hijiya, 

My relevant blogs:

Combination of my blog for the review of the film (tjshah.blogspot.com),  review of the book "American Prometheus" on film . Travel blogs at Hiroshima (TuharInJapan.blogspot.com), Los Alamos lab  where the  bomb was developed ( Catharina America.blogspot.com) and technical basic about how the Atomic bomb, Hydrogen bomb, quantum mechanics  to be written) gives some basic about this complex weapon and Geo Politics. 

1. My review of the book "American Prometheus
2. My visit to Hiroshima in May 2023.  Pictures and reflection  visiting the Peace memorial foundation 
3. My visit to Los Alamos lab on Oct 14, 2021, with pictures of Oppenheimer, Groves, Emilio Segre, the super-compressed mass of fissionable plutonium, FDR, Mahatma Gandhi, German and Japanese physicists working on nuclear forces, ; Near Robert Oppenheimer's Perro Caliente. Ranch.  Also had views of  the" Sangre de Cristo"  mountains.. He often expressed that his greatest passions were "physics and the desert landscape".
4. https://www.lanl.gov/ Los Almos lab official website  
5. Perro Caliente at Sangre de Cristo mountain, rural northern New Mexico, where Oppenheimer had a ranch, and he loved to be there ( To be added) 
6. Basic physics of Atom Bombs  Hydrogen Bomb, Quantum mechanics,Physicists interacted with Oppenheimer    ( TusharInStem.blogspot.com)
   

 

The Impact of Real-Life Crimes in India on Film Industry

 

Introduction:  At a recent dinner gathering there was spirited discussion   about  the new  documentary “Mumbai Mafia: Police vs the Underworld” released by Netflix in Jan 2023 was  discussed. This was group friends  who has been alumni of  top schools in India (IIT, IIM). To my surprise there was support and sympathy for the fake encounters (extrajudicial execution performed by police personnel in order to cover up evidence of unlawful killings or executions.).  I shared some statistics  of  killing innocents through the inhuman acts of fake encounters in India  or Philippines. I was surprised to see how an international streaming platform like Netflix can provide  a legitimacy to the fake encounters !  so I saw the documentary and few more  recent films based on True crimes.  This made four films/documentaries this week.

1)   1)"Mumbai Mafia: Police vs the Underworld” documentary @ Netflix.  Jan 2023  

2)   2)"Trial by Fire”  a TV series at Netflix  with seven episodes, based on True story of deadly Uphaar cinema fire ((my rating 7/10)

3)   3) "Shantaram”: episode TV serial apple TV+  semi-biographical by the author of the book, a  fugitive from Australian prison hiding at Mumbai slum ( 7/10)

4)   4)"India: The Modi question” documentary by BBC  two=parts , Broadcasted on January 17,24 2023  Banned in India using the emergency power.

 Background: The Indian film industry has long been known for its diverse array of genres and themes, one of which is crime. From the early days of Indian cinema, crime has been an integral part of the narrative and its depiction has evolved over time. This blog aims to explore the impact of real-life crimes on the Indian film industry, examining how these crimes are used as inspiration for Indian films and the representation of these crimes in Indian cinema. The focus is focus on four real films  seen recently ( Jan 2023).

 

The history of Indian crime films dates back to the early days of Indian cinema. In the 1930s and 1940s, crime dramas and thrillers were popular in the Indian film industry. However, these early Indian crime films were heavily influenced by Hollywood crime dramas and often portrayed crime in a romanticized or glamorized way.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Indian cinema began to develop its own distinct style of crime films, with films such as "CID" (1956) and "Waqt" (1965) showcasing a more realistic portrayal of crime and its consequences. These films also dealt with the social and economic factors that lead to crime.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Indian crime films began to explore more complex themes and characters, with films such as "Zanjeer" (1973) and "Ardh Satya" (1983) delving into the psyche of criminals and police officers. These films also highlighted the corruption and inefficiency of the Indian legal system.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Indian crime films shifted towards more action-oriented and commercial films, with films such a, Black Friday, "Satya" (1998) and "Company" (2002) dealing with themes of organized crime and the Mumbai underworld Several films about Gujarat 2002 riots like Parzania. Firaaq, “final solution” (all banned in Gujarat), “Kai po che” were based  on recent events.

Today, Indian crime films continue to evolve and explore new themes and styles, with films such as "Badlapur", “gangs of wasseypur”, Talwar , Drishyam (2015), “Indian’s daughter”(BBC , banned by GOI),  “Pataal Lok” , “Sacred Game Delhi crimes”, “Bad boys billionaire.” “The attacks of 26/11”, “Hotel Mumbai”, “Mumbai diaries 26/11”    showcasing a more nuanced and gritty portrayal of crime in India with fiction

 

My reviews:

1)   "Mumbai Mafia : Police vs the underworld" I like to watch documentaries another crime documentaries such as   "Bad Boys Billionaires" .  I found the Mumbai Mafia little superficial meant  for Mac-Audience,  It missed many points  that I  mentioned  about the large  and growing  number of fake encounters  in India, Philippines etc . To the credit of documentary it did cover how the diety-fication of these encounter specialists by media and people  turned in to cricket like score card and they ended up being in jail !     See the comments under trailer and see how many viewers calls Pratap Sharma  a real  hero . Fortunately, the narrative of Nextflix does not support the fake encounters. (My rating 5.5/10)
 

2)   “Trial by Fire” :  The  Seven-episode series  is based on  the  book by the same  by  same name by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who lost their two teenage children in the fire. Fifty-nine people died and many more were injured when a faulty transformer started a fire in the theatre during an afternoon show of Border in 1994.  In took 25 years   of  consistent perseverance   gave final justice . The theater owner  Ansar brothers  finally  got jail , but got out of jail in six months.     The show is slow but powerful portrayal of challenges in getting the justice. There are also small side stories  like couple of Anupam Kher and Ratna Pathak which are incongruous and irrelevant to the main story.    In India, we are inured to injustice, resigned to the fact that the rich will go unpunished.  We see this repeating with the recent disaster in the city of Morbi in Gujarat, India, where the suspension bridge  collapsed  with causing the deaths of at least 160 people . The builder has no prior experience in construction!  ( 7/10)

3)    "Shantaram":  This is 12-episode  American drama-crime thriller   based on the true-life story and novel by author Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram centers on an Australian character named Lindsay, aka Lin. After his personal life spirals out of control, Lin is sentenced to a long, tough prison term. He manages to escape, however, and makes his way up to Mumbai, India. He is befriended by a strange character named Prabaker (acted by Sharaf) , who takes Lin to his native village slum. The locals take Lin in and rename him Shantaram. The slum life, underground Mafia, corrupt police, politicians are well portrayed and reconciles with the  rest of the crime films in this blog. The British actor Charlie Hunnam (Picked from his role in film “son of anarchay") has given impressive performance.

The original film was  having John Depp , Amitabh Bachhan ( I guess playing roe of  Khaderbhai Khan)  and Mira Nair  as the directors.  The movies is in making verry much after the book published in2003. There may be season II. It  inspired  me to see  “Dharavi” also a TV series in 2022 made with Bollywood well known stars

4)   India: The Modi question”: documentary by BBC  two=parts , Broadcasted on Jan 17,24  . Last two weeks I have been attacked   by the BJP/Mod/Hindutva fans  who has not seen the film, but are now asking  me  share the image as the film is banned in India and blocked at youtube, twitter,Vieo etc. Here is the link. When you click I will  get your  request and I will grant.  Lot more to say about this documentary. However  practically none has been able to see it yet , I will wait  for my review.

 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ayTxhDIQK31QSUjZEmP_IZNjTeuU7qXH?usp=share_link    you may download both episodes.

you have to make  a request for the permission and I will  grant it.  You do not need to download. Stream to  your device. You can air play  on big TV  (better).  This 1080P HD image.

Laal Singh Chaddha -an adaption of Forrest Gump

 Laal Singh Chaddha ,  a recently released  Hindi film  is  adaption of  a 1994  Hollywood film Forrest  Gump. Gulzar, an Indian poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, and film director known for his works in Hindi drama and films made a film named Parichay   (means Introduction) in 1972 which had taken some theme idea from the famous  film “The Sound of Music”. In response to question from a film reporter he said:  “I rather made a good adaption than poor original”,

Laal Singh Chaddha is an excellent adaption of Forrest Gump to an Indian setting and waving the important historical events and cultural adaptions . There is a huge difference between translation  (भाषांतर) and   adaption( रूपांतर). Fortunate enough  to bilingual and well verse with both cultures , after loving film Forrest Gump in USA  I liked Laal Singh Chaddha even more. There are many  thoughtful and creative Indian touches  like  Laal recounts his life story to passengers on a train (telling personal  stories to  train passengers unknown  to you is fairly typical in India),   In India  there is  real challenge with growing nationalism, Populism, right wing Hindutva movement there are  calls an trolls by  such group to boycott the film with the  #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha  hashtag.

Journey of simple-minded innocent man is  recounted against the events of India’s political history. From 1971 to present. From Emergency to Operation Blue Star, Hindu-Sikh riots to Hindu-Muslim riots, Mandal Commission and Babri Masjid demolition to Kargil War and Jan Lokpal Bill, 26/11 Attacks on Mumbai to Modi Sarkar's government forming aspirations. It also covers India winning world cup in Cricket and Sushmita Sen's Miss Universe title in 1994.  However they skipped  Gujarat 2002  communal riot.  I  understand the  risk including personal  safety in even  mentioning  Gujarat 2002  communal riot.   (Indian magazines  this week celebrating 75^th anniversary of independence  do cover Gujarat 2002  ). Few could blame Aamir Khan for playing safe in the face of renewed personal attacks and weaponised hashtags.  

In his younger days, Laal's mother keeps warning him not to venture out because desh vich malaria phaileya hua hai (the nation is in the grip of malaria). Later in the film, somebody says mazhab malaria phailata hai (religion spreads malaria). Laal sails through the fractious times because he believes in humanity in a manner that more cynical minds cannot.

Bubba's shrimp love in Forrest Gump  is adapted  to the 'chaddi banian'=spewing Bala . The video technology touch of  de-aging, character appearing with past historical  character is  also very impressive,.

Except for skipping Gujarat 2002 event  the Director Advait Chandan finds  a warmth and political honesty  which Forrest Gump lags. The right wing nationalist’s movement to boycott the great film is the  most  disappointing of the contemporary India ( nd many places in the world ). Right  Wing Internet users    have been calling a ban on the film after Aamir Khan’s controversial statement from 2015, about ‘growing intolerance in the country’ has resurfaced

The selection of the cast is great too,. Mona Singh as  Laal Singh Chaddha's. mother Kareen Kapoor matching Aamir khan's innocence personified as Laal . bromance with Naga Chaitanya and Manav Vij as the enemy a nd Killer from Pakistan are great too! The scenic beauty of India and new monuments are well covered as well .

Tom Hanks stated that "the film is non-political and thus non-judgmental". The film was  discussed  at the shows like crossfire at CNN  and  argued  as  promotion  of the conservative  values in backdrop  the "Republican  revolution" by Newt Gingrich.  Such  narratives  were  not accepted.  However that  is not  case  in India. IN spite of all  and extreme  cautions taken  by the film  producers and team laal Singh Chaddha is  politicized beyond in India beyond common sense and  basic sense of  fairness, 

Laal Singh Chaddha is such a beautiful movie. We need more people in the world that have a bit of Laal in them; innocent, forgiving, loving and compassionate. I thank the sanghis and bhakts for pushing me to watch it. It will forever be in my comfort list. 

Whatsapp, FB has been loaded with false and biased charges again Aamir Khan and the film, even  false accusing that the film is  tarnishing  Sikh  people, Indian army by  hiring Moron,  the actor has insulted  Hindu Deities!  The rejection of the film is so repulsive, I find it necessary to write this  blog and make my  contribution  of 2 cents to correct it. Based on some trolls it appears  Aamir Singh  may have risk of attack by  some Hindutva fanatic  like Salman  Rushdie on the day of the release of  this film   and  hope  another setback to the world of art and  freedom of expression does not happen.