Their combined success is pretty breathtaking, with Barbie grossing over a billion dollars and Oppenheimer likely to cross that mark soon enough incredible for a historical biopic. But what of their artistic worth? Me, I suspect the lustre of both will fade. Barbie is a fun film, with some big laughs and enthusiastic performances.
As for Oppenheimer , wellβ¦ Christopher Nolan is a good director. There are some astonishing set pieces, which everyone is still talking about, and I admire it for that. The editing is dazzling. But I finished the film feeling I knew little more about Oppenheimer than the little I already knew, as well as baffled by why Nolan felt the last hour of interminable hearings was necessary to help us understand him β why was his loss of security clearance such a big deal, to Oppenheimer or to us?
Not good enough for an ostensible film-of-the-year. Plus it delivers better set pieces along the way. But what do I know? I was delighted to share my favourite film of the year with most publications this year, for the first time perhaps since Moonlight.
It was, in fact, the best directing I saw all year β subtle, plus visually and emotionally rich. I may come back to change the list when I finally see it.
Like a master filmmaker, Celine Song knows exactly where to place the camera to maximise audience emotional engagement and interest.
