Cillian Murphy plays the lead role in ‘Oppenheimer‘, which has made over $ 80 million in its opening weekend, surpassing all expectations. Christopher Nolan’s take on Robert J. Oppenheimer, the physicist who helped the United States develop the first atomic bomb is said to be Nolan’s best movie yet. Fans and critics are hailing performances of the cast but Cillian Murphy outshines them all.
Cillian plays the lead role of Robert J. Oppenheimer. Apart from the uncanny resemblance, Cillian does a beautiful job on screen. Cillian breathes life into the character of Robert J. Oppenheimer. The look on his face, the way he talks, and everything about him has a close resemblance to the physicist.
Along with Cillian, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and Robert Downey Jr. also display stunning performances in their respective roles. The movie is based on the book ‘American Prometheus’ by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin and covers Oppenheimer’s life from his days as a student at the University of Göttingen in the late 1920s to the events of his security clearance being revoked in 1954.
*Spoilers ahead for Oppenheimer*
‘There’s a reason why he is one of the greats’ Florence Pugh on Cillian Murphy
Florence Pugh, who plays the role of Jean Tatlock, one of Oppenheimer’s love interests talks more about how it was sharing screen space with Cillian Murphy.
“Chris had one of the most incredible leads in Cillian,” she tells People. “He is an actor that I have been watching for quite some time and have been desperate to work with for ages. You’d have to be mad to say no. It was truly one of the best experiences that I’ve had.”
“Working with him was hugely impressive,” she continues. “Every single day he shows up knowing every single possible way, intonation, inflection of how to bring this character to life. That was hugely impressive to me. There’s a reason why he is one of the greats.”
Robert Downey Jr. plays the role of Admiral Lewis Strauss, the head of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the one who spear-headed the downfall of Oppenheimer, was impressed with Murphy’s commitment to the role.
“I have never witnessed a greater sacrifice by a lead actor in my career, “He knew it was going to be a behemoth ask when Chris called him. But I think he also had the humility that is required to survive playing a role like this,” says Downey to People.
Fans as well as critics laud Cillian Murphy’s performance, with many claiming that this could be the first Academy Award for the actor. Whether he receives the laureate or not, Cillian’s performance in Oppenheimer makes it worthy of our time. Grab your tickets to the nearest IMAX screens to grasp a cinematic experience in the way it was intended.