‘Oppenheimer’ Finally Releases in Japan With Mixed Reviews

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ has finally hit cinemas in Japan, but the reception has been a mixed bag.

The biopic delves into the life of Robert J. Oppenheimer, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, the renowned American physicist whose contributions were crucial in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Often hailed as ‘the father of the atomic bomb’, Oppenheimer played a key role in the creation of the nuclear weapons that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of Japanese lives.

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With the film’s release in Japan, criticism has emerged, particularly from the mayor of Hiroshima, who expressed dissatisfaction with the portrayal of nuclear weapons’ horrors. He remarked, “From Hiroshima’s standpoint, the horror of nuclear weapons was not sufficiently depicted. The film was made in a way to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save the lives of Americans.”

Many viewers have accused Nolan’s work of insensitivity towards Japan and its traumatic history. Spike Lee also questioned the absence of Japanese perspectives on the atomic bombings, noting the film’s focus solely on the American narrative.

One movie-goer voiced their conflicted feelings, stating, “Of course, this is an amazing film deserving of Academy Awards. However, it also seems to praise the atomic bomb, which was difficult for me to watch as someone with connections to Hiroshima.”

Another viewer, Koichi Takeshita from Nagasaki, shared a similar sentiment, highlighting Oppenheimer’s final expression in the film as one of anguish, possibly indicating remorse for his involvement in creating the devastating weapon.