Hope you enjoy my video breaking down the key differences between the Oppenheimer movie and the American Prometheus book. For those who've read the book, let me know if you spotted any other changes?
I’m just partway into the book, so my comments focus on the beginning story. I wish that the movie had somehow brought up that Oppenheimer’s early education was at the Ethical Culture school, which helped me understand where his social justice involvement and compassion came from. I also didn’t fully understand from the movie how much Oppenheimer had wrestled with depression as a young adult. That helps to explain his attachment to his wife Kitty and his mistress. The movie is so effective in bringing you into the mind and heart of Oppenheimer that I can’t help but think that more background could have deepened our understanding even more. But to do that we would have needed a mini-series format, and I think that would have resulted in a loss of the drama, visual impact and engagement with the characters. So, overall, I think that Nolan made the right choices. But I would recommend that everyone read the book if you want to understand Oppenheimer the man.
This was brilliant, sir, thank you. Will you also take a look at the Screenplay? I found it an interesting read, Nolan wrote it from a first-person perspective... It still didn't make the salacious Sanskrit scene make a bit of sense to me, lol, I'll never understand that writing choice by Nolan.
Back in August I was looking for August 2023 issue of Empire magazine. I couldn't find it which led me to find American Prometheus. I bought the book. I've been reading it ever since. 40 chapters in 5 parts 700+ pages. It starts slow in the first couple of chapters. It bounce around the 20s and 30s. Oppenheimer background is explored through growing up, metal state, and politics. I recognize some of the scenes from the film in the book. Some of the scenes from the film were not in the book.
The book was much more detailed than the movie, but it’s a different medium. Also it takes a lot more time and contemplation than viewing a movie that only takes a few hours. The changes the director makes are skillful ones that cut down on many of the facts and lead toward a simpler to understand and compact story. The cast is absolutely first rate, with Oppenheimer as the lead character. The last part of the movie indicates clearly how alcoholism takes over Kitty’s character. I know people who have visited St. John’s Island and they remark how naturally beautiful it is, even today, but also how remote. The book and the movie are both amazing accomplishments.
What about the differences in a Christopher Nolan film? I think his work with Jen. Lame changes the nature of film editing. Not just mixing timelines and film stock, but the short ideas tucked in throughout.
What about the differences in a Nolan film? I think his work with Jen Lame is a unique take on editing, period. Not just mixing timelines or film stock, but portraying ideas or fractions of ideas. By the end of this movie I was almost angry that he was longing for his security clearance! Besides ego, what does Oppie care? In the fifties, didn’t they realize ego could be a character defect? The idea that he couldn’t get a job is absurd. He could have been an inventor or any number of things.
Wait!.... fundamentally isn't the book a biography and the movie a docu-drama?...With embellished drama a bit, part of the movie? Just that fact is the biggest difference.
Seen it twice in liemax now, seriously considering driving 2 hours to go see it in true iMAX. What are your thoughts on traveling that far to see it in its intended format?
Obviously, the film shows the black scientist involved in the manhatten project, but does not directly talk about them. Its great they are included but more information about them via review shows would be much appreciated also. I can imagine some think it's a projecttion of today's values but it's worth highlighting this actually happened.
