John Adams: Doctor Atomic
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Movie Reviews of John Adams: Doctor Atomic
Movie Review: "We are dreams -- you should have dreamed us"
Summary: 4 Stars
The reviews already posted for "Doctor Atomic" are some of the most thoughtful, fascinating and, in some cases, hilarious I have ever read on Amazon. Can I add anything of value to what they've said? I shall attempt to do so.
First of all, even in the standard DVD format, this is a demonstration-quality disc. Sitting in front of my eight-and-a-half inch portable DVD player with speakers that leave much to be desired, I felt as though I was in the opera house. The music was reproduced loudly, clearly and with amazing directionality. I can only imagine what an overwhelming experience this disc must be played on a high-quality home theater system.
As for the opera itself, Adams is my favorite currently active opera composer, and while "Doctor Atomic" is in some ways the least satisfying of his three grand operas, it is still a work of the highest artistic caliber, worthy of serious consideration and multiple viewings and hearings. Like some other reviewers, I was left unsatisfied by the balance of views presented in the work. Despite being a liberal Democrat, Adams presented us with a profoundly sympathetic, almost loveable "Nixon in China", and the alleged pro-Palestinian bias of "The Death of Klinghoffer" is largely redressed by Marilyn Klinghoffer's anguished final aria. In "Doctor Atomic", however, the only halfway convincing statement of a pro-bombing viewpoint is the poetic concept of "fierce peace" to which both Oppenheimers refer several times. I find this forgiveable, however, since in this case Adams and Sellers clearly felt so strongly about the issue that any attempt on their part to present "the other side" would probably have been highly unconvincing, and only weakened the opera. Similarly, while the opera's ending is depressing and somewhat underwhelming musically, it's hard to see how else the work could have appropriately ended, since the unimaginable tragedy of Hiroshima did need to be acknowledged.
Concerning the Oppenheimers singing Christian poetry such as "Batter my heart, three-person'd God", I think criticism of this on the grounds that Oppenheimer was Jewish reflects a troubling modern mindset that people should not be open to the beauty and significance of the artistic and cultural expressions of faiths other than their own. After all, the majority of "Doctor Atomic"'s audience is not Hindu, and yet Adams and Sellers expect the audience to be affected by the poetic power and relevance of the passage from the "Bhagavad-Gita" (the vision of Vishnu the Destroyer) sung by the chorus in the opera's second act. Why, then, could J. Robert Oppenheimer not have found beauty and meaning in the John Donne sonnet? As a non-observant Jewish man, what the opera's Oppenheimer means by "three-person'd God" is, surely, "the God whom I am not sure exists, and whom Donne thought of as a Trinity".
The staging of Oppenheimer's aria is interesting in that, when I first saw it, I thought it was rather over-the-top, and might have seemed so even in the opera house, and yet it is the moment that most strongly sticks with me as I look back upon the opera. Perhaps Peter Sellers knew what he was doing after all. Certainly he clearly put a great deal of thought into his often bizarre-seeming video direction of this DVD, and I think that even his most unexpected choices will reward analysis and reflection on why precisely he chose to shoot something a certain way (for example, the rack focus from the sleeping Kitty to the Indian throw beside her face on her couch).
This DVD is definitely recommended to anyone interested in modern opera. Even if one is ultimately unconvinced by some aspects of Sellers' production, it is an indispensable historic document.
Movie Review: Almost perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
The plot is based on the last days of the Manhattan project, but in fact the greatness of this opera is the portraying of the human struggles of the people involved in the project. The plot itself is the reason to get into those very human emotions and struggle, so the full accuracy of the plot doesn't seem to me of crucial importance. The best music is for those internal looking moments, with the necessary "actions" to put everything in perspective (sounds familiar?). Some of the tense moments in the plot are for music only, masterly composed by John Adams.
I have the feeling the production is over played which sometimes disturbs and distracts. In addition, some of the close-ups (for the DVD) are over-dramatic veering the attention from the poetry and the music. The music and the lyrics are beautiful and strong enough. It doesn't need over-acting and distractions like people moving fast on the scene.
The last scene of first act is impressive, in particular when Oppenheimer silhouette raises his hand and finger to the "Gadget" (God?)... but there is no finger responding this time.
Remembering that all music (and opera) was once new, this DVD is recommended for all Opera lovers and enthusiasts.
Movie Review: A brilliant production BUT
Summary: 4 Stars
Is the music larger than the production? This is a very powerful work. Almost a horror story but unfortunately the horrible bomb is all too real. The production by librettist and collaborator Peter Sellars is powerful. The story is the creation of the first atomic bomb, and its creator Dr Oppenheimer is the protagonist. Doctor Atomic is must seeing for Gerald Finley alone. This is an awesome performance. He nails the character perfectly. And of course his singing is exemplary as usual. The other singers compliment him very well.
But the question boils down to the music. Is it more than the production? It will be interesting to see how it fares with a new production such as the MET just put on. There are a few arioso sections but not built on melody. Everything is recitative - perhsps influenced by Monteverdi. The music serves the text admirably in its frightening noises - especially when evoking the terror of the bomb. But you certainly won't be humming anything on the way out. Unlike serialism it is not hard to take. But it is quite dry and I wonder if the recitative might be better replaced by talking over the orchestra. It certainly must have been tiring to sing.
Movie Review: great listen
Summary: 4 Stars
Disclosure: I really like Adams. Having said that, I don't like everything he has done. But this piece is fine listening, indeed. Good voices and a well balanced orchestra keep you engaged throughout. The research for the story has been criticized and the story will likely be controversial, but shouldn't art be just that? Ok, it's one POV. Take it as that. Only downside of the DVD is that after viewing it once, I realized that while I certainly would listen again, I probably wouldn't watch again. Why? The dance sequences weren't very good. For a first viewing, it was acceptable, but I wouldn't be indulgent a second time. I wish they had a way to jump to some of the best arias when you want to enjoy the best of disc: some sort of highlights feature. All said: at today's rate of $200 for an orchestra tic, this $40 DVD is a great way to sample important culture without breaking the bank.Movie Review: DR. ATOMIC - watch it and change
Summary: 4 Stars
It was recommended that I spend a night with this modern opera, after which I would have developed a new language. I did. Hours well spent. A side bonus is finer understanding of people I know that are the children of the scientists.