'Oppenheimer' finally premieres in Japan to mixed reactions and high emotions

jeffw@lemmy.world to World News@lemmy.world – 302 points –
npr.org
210

You are viewing a single comment

I think that's always the way. Compartmentalisation. Though I don't blame the film for not showing the horrors taking place in those cities. At the time Oppenheimer wouldn't have access to those images, and so I guess neither do we. On the other hand - unless I miss remember - we do get to see him watching a film reel. So, maybe they could have shoehorned the scenes of destruction. But, personally, I think it's enough to see the effect it has on Oppenheimer. Any more could be classed as prurient voyeurism.

I don't know of you or @HobbitFoot@lemmy.world is aware but the screenplay of the movie was written in first person. That's how focused Nolan was from the very beginning. No way he was going to show actual bombings.

Also, funny that you mentioned compartmentalization. This article opens with same observation, and in turn refers to Matt Damon's character in the movie.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-08-11/oppenheimer-atomic-bomb-hiroshima-nagasaki-christopher-nolan

I don't think they could show the bombings as Oppenheimer wasn't there. However, it is plausible that he saw some newsreel footage of the aftermath. They could show that.