Darshan Kalola

Could it be that a movie is equal parts awe-provoking and equal parts tedious? The cinematography, score, and pacing in pivotal scenes, such as the Trinity test, the discussion on atom-bomb targets, and the speech given after the actual bomb dropping were amazing. These scenes, comprising less than 20 minutes of the film, are enough to justify watching in theaters. Yet, the initial build-up and ending trial were confusing and repetitive. The details regarding Oppenheimer's association with the Communist Party and his suspected ties to Soviet Russia were too specific and puzzling for an audience trying to enjoy a movie. The fast-clip pacing only made matters worse rendering a third of the dialogue unintelligible, even for someone with an albeit cursory understanding of the historical facts and figures involved.