Fat Man and Little Boy
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Movie Reviews of Fat Man and Little Boy
Movie Review: An emotionally moving historical novel
Summary: 4 Stars
"The world is not what we wanted it to be." So says Dr. Oppenheimer to his wife, late in the film. Oppenheimer's optimism and scientific idealism are only one small casualty of the pursuit of the atomic bomb; we see several others through the course of the film. The fears of that time -- especially of Communism -- cause Oppenheimer's own credibility to be always in doubt in the eyes of the military, and his Communist-sympathizing mistress almost inevitably becomes another casualty of these forces.
The scientist Michael Merriman (actually a composite of a few real-life characters; try looking up "Louis Slotin" in your favorite search engine) asks whether it is more instinctive in humans to save life or to destroy it. This becomes one of the central themes of the film. Merriman twice heroically saves the lives of others, but the second time receives a lethal exposure to radiation himself in the process. I have read comments in other reviews that Merriman's (fictional) romance with a nurse at the base hospital was unnecessary and too contrived, but I think that this sort of dramatic element helps provide an emotional context for the bomb's direct and indirect victims; also, Merriman's ultimately tragic romance parallels that of Oppenheimer with his "security-risk" mistress.
This film touches on many of the issues of the creation of the atomic bomb: the logistical challenges, the personal and moral and political challenges. These multiple issues are treated more or less equally, and none is really treated in depth at the expense of the others. Some viewers may regard this lack of depth as a liability, but I think the overall balance is good.
The dramatic quality (acting, writing, etc.) of the film is also generally good, with a few faults. (There is the occasional bit of weak dialogue, but honestly, for my part, I did not find the few less-than-stellar lines distracting when I saw the film the first time, and neither do they leap out at me when I watch it again now. Some people may be more irritated by that sort of thing than I.) Oppenheimer (Dwight Schultz) and General Groves (Paul Newman) are both very strong in their roles, and they naturally are the ones who would make or break the movie.
So, overall, I think that this film is a good film. I don't mean that to sound flippant. I mean that it is a good story, a good drama, one that captures the emotional tensions, fears, and moral doubts of the period. What it is definitely NOT is a historically-accurate documentary, but I don't think it was ever trying to be. Documentaries are certainly important too, but they are plentiful and easily had elsewhere. (Try the History Channel or your local library.) In some ways, Fat Man and Little Boy resembles the blockbuster movie Pearl Harbor, which also fictionalized quite a bit to show the emotional impact of the historical events on the people involved.
Fat Man and Little Boy is a film I personally own, enjoy and recommend.
Movie Review: The Eve of Destruction
Summary: 4 Stars
"Fat Man and Little Boy" takes a human look at the history behind the making of the atomic bomb. It has a superb ensemble cast- with the late Paul Newman as Gen. Leslie Groves, Dwight Schultz as Robert Oppenheimer, Jon Cusak as a scientist, and Natasha Richardson as Oppenheimer's Russian mistress. The movie avoids passing judgment on the Manhattan Project. Was it necessary for winning WWII, or was it human meddling with powers beyond their reach? What is the relationship between science and morality, especially in wartime?
"Fat Man and Little Boy" powerfully shows the isolation of the Manhattan Project in the midst of the New Mexico desert. Los Alamos and the Trinity site are, to this day, "desert solitaire" to quote the late naturalist Edward Abbey. There is the land and the sky-- and not much else. The movie is claustrophobic,in a sense, even in the wide open spaces that are pure void.
One of the standout incidents is the scientist who dies from radiation poisoning. It's harrowing to watch. It's terrifying, realizing how a little dose of nuclear power can cause a painful, awful death.
Schultz is great as the conflicted Oppenheimer,who sees himself as "Vishnu, destroyer of worlds" at Trinity. Newman is equally great as the gruff, abrupt Groves,who has a strong sense of duty. "Fat Man and Little Boy" is much character studies as it as a re-enactment of historical incidents.
Paul Newman will be remembered as one of the greatest actors of our time. He brought nobility and masculinity to the silver screen. He shone as a luminary in the movies-- as well as a humanitarian. His charitable efforts will be among his legacies. Rest in peace.
RIP Paul Newman (1925-2008)
Movie Review: "I am become Vishnu - the destroyer of worlds."
Summary: 4 Stars
J. Robert Oppenheimer said on viewing the first atomic bomb explosion, "I am become Vishnu - the destroyer of worlds."
An intriguing rendition of the trials and tribulations of creating the first atomic bomb.
This is not the first or maybe the best and it surely will not be the last interpretation. However there is some fine acting and well designed story. This has held my attention more than once. Every part, in fact every line contributed to making you forget that you are watching a movie and that this is real.
This is the story of how the need for the bomb came about and the building of a camp and the collection of men needed to accomplish the job. We see technical difficult J. Robert Oppenheimer said on viewing the first atomic bomb explosion, "I am become Vishnu - the destroyer of worlds."
An intriguing rendition of the trials and tribulations of creating the first atomic bomb.
This is not the first or maybe the best and it surely will not be the last interpretation. However there is some fine acting and well designed story. This has held my attention more than once. Every part, in fact every line contributed to making you forget that you are watching a movie and that this is real.
This is the story of how the need for the bomb came about and the building of a camp and the collection of men needed to accomplish the job. We see technical difficulties as well as emotional.
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Movie Review: Shhh... Don't tell
Summary: 4 Stars
"Fat Man and Little Boy" (a.k.a. "Shadow Makers") is a highly fictionalized account of the super secret Manhattan Project. I wish I had known that beforehand, since the reason I found the film so engaging is that I thought I was watching a painstakingly researched retelling -- something that preserves a moment in history for use as a cautionary tale for future generations of scientists and laymen. Then I find out they made the majority of this stuff up. I guess with Dwight Schultz, the guy who played Murdoch from "The A-Team" doing Robert Oppenheimer I should've known better. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt -- Tom Hanks used to be on "Bosom Buddies" and he went on to do "Apollo 18," which was a fairly faithful account of a real-life event, but such isn't the case here.
I give the film four stars for the good performances and the further research it inspired.
Movie Review: A great film about the Manhatten Project
Summary: 4 Stars
If you want a good introduction to Americas bid to become a Nuclear Power in order to win the Second World war, well here you go. I feel that it (This film) showed the inner conflicts and debates of the project was fairly & intelligently represented. Paul Newman was a great Leslie Grove even though Groves was a much bigger sized man physically. Oppenheimer was also well depicted as the very complex and driven man that he was. Well done to all hands on a very complex and controversial subject.