Jul 20, 2023 at 05:16Update: 13 minutes ago
Making a film about the scientist who was instrumental in developing the atomic bomb and getting the audience to sympathize with him. Director Christopher Nolan knew what he needed to Oppenheimer Humanize: actor Cillian Murphy.
A three-hour film about the development of the deadliest weapon in human history. You may not immediately expect a personal story that touches the viewer. But Nolan thought otherwise.
“This film needed an actor who can show the main character in an empathetic way,” the director tells NU.nl. “Cillian is one of the best actors of our time. He is able to open his heart to the audience and let us in. We feel what he feels, think what he thinks and experience what he experiences.”
Oppenheimer is about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who played a leading role in developing the first atomic bomb. He worked with a team of scientists in the desert of the US state of New Mexico on nuclear weapons.
The United States dropped the bombs that Oppenheimer was responsible for at the end of World War II on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is estimated that between 130,000 and 230,000 people died.
‘The public is left with uncomfortable questions’
Nolan, 52, wrote the script Oppenheimer in the I-form from the main character. That’s an unusual choice for a script: normally the setup is more descriptive.
The film alternates historical events with sometimes abstract scenes that take place in Oppenheimer’s head. “As a viewer, you have to experience the world of this character,” says Nolan.
“I want the audience to understand Oppenheimer, not condemn it. That involves the audience more.” The director was more interested in showing why the historical figures in the film made the choices they did. “With a dark subject like this, the audience is left with uncomfortable questions about it after three hours.”
Christopher Nolan with actor Cillian Murphy on the set of Oppenheimer.Photo: BrunoPress
‘Cillian Murphy works without drama’
Nolan emphasizes in interviews several times how heavy the role is that Murphy plays. For example, he says that supporting the protagonist was an important task for the star cast that had supporting roles. Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt and Rami Malek watched over their colleague.
Guiding Murphy on the set of was also an important task for Nolan Oppenheimer. “Different actors need different guidance, and it can also vary per situation,” the director explains. It helps that Nolan and Murphy are already quite attuned to each other.
Oppenheimer is Nolan’s sixth film with Murphy. The Irish actor has previously appeared in his films Inception, Dunkirk and the Batman-trilogy. “We understand each other well. My job is to guide him to some extent, but at the same time to know when to let him go. I need to be able to adapt my methods to what the actor needs to do his best work. “
Nolan speaks highly of Murphy’s attitude on set. “Acting seems to be effortless for him. He arrives on set and simply does his job. Without fuss and without drama, when the camera is not rolling,” he smiles. “For a director, he’s a huge asset. The way he works allows me to concentrate on everything else.”
Nolan already noticed on set that the 47-year-old actor did a good job. “But it’s in the editing room that you really see how fantastic he is acting. What he’s done with this character from scene to scene is absolutely extraordinary.”
Oppenheimer will be in cinemas from Thursday 20 July.
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2023-07-20 03:16:00
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