Randall Douglas Reynolds

(Spoilers) Personally, I thought this movie was way too long and laborious. I was hoping for a more focused overview of the bomb and the work of all those involved. However, it was not my script, so I tried to understand the direction of the writer. It was interesting to see Oppenheimer, and his involvement with the development of the nuclear bomb. His love for New Mexico was refreshing. That said, there were so many aspects of his life that need not been included, like the sexual scenes, (not necessary). Instead, this should have just shown a general intimacy with different women. All the politics as well should have been consolidated in an easier to follow overview. Actual footage of the dropping of the bomb on Japan should have been shown for impact on the audience (we must never forget). I understand the reasoning to end the war, and save our men, yet at the same time, I am torn as to the creation of such a device. ‘The Destroyer of Worlds’ is certainly an apt description…. Tears came to my eyes watching the first test at White Sands, my tears were for humanity and what I knew the eventual use of this horrific bomb would wreak. After the test, and the dropping of the bomb on Japan, the cheering of the people involved troubled me greatly and was misguided. I feel rather than displaying such a patriotic frenzy, more people should have shown sadness and compassion as to what was wrought. The legacy of what transpired at Los Alamos will haunt mankind forever. Is the location haunted forever, time will tell. As an aside, the arrogance of Truman in my mind was troubling and unrealistic as to his personality and legacy. To close, so many in Santa Fe were anxious to view the film, this is because of our proximity (by default) to Los Alamos. I heard the mention of Santa Fe at least once in the film. I know so many here who drive back and forth to Los Alamos from Santa Fe each day, seemingly, the largest employ of current Santa Fe (other than the State Capitol employees). In my own employ, I encounter Los Alamos workers all the time, to include scientists. I asked candidly of one the other day, “what do you all do up there, build bombs?” The reply was wry, and "that we are involved in many technological developments, but no bombs”. In closing, this was a sobering film to be sure, bittersweet, and no matter the need, or not, for the development of the most destructive bomb in the history of mankind, it left me sad and filled with anguish.