Oppenheimer Psychological and Analytical Review

Here I am with the review I decided to write after watching Oppenheimer, one of the most anticipated films of the year. However, this review might differ from the ones you've read before, as I've incorporated psychology, research, observations, and my own opinions. Nevertheless, I can assure you that you'll enjoy reading it and gain insights from it. For those who haven't watched the film, be aware that my writing contains spoilers. Enjoy reading.

"Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans."

Oppenheimer opens with a reference to the mythical story of Prometheus, using it as a metaphor. It seems that the director wants to establish a connection between Robert Oppenheimer and Prometheus. As we know, Prometheus stole fire from the Olympian gods and the workshop of Hephaestus and Athena, hiding it in a hollow fennel stalk, giving humanity a precious gift to aid them in their struggle for life. However, Prometheus used the power of fire for destruction. In the film, the quote attributed to Oppenheimer after the detonation of the atomic bomb, "You are the man who gave them the power to destroy themselves. Until they understand it, they won't fear it. And until they use it, they won't understand it," shows how aptly this metaphor is employed.

Robert Oppenheimer in a Psychoanalytic Framework

The film unfolds in two different time periods. In the beginning, we see Oppenheimer being questioned in the present day due to security concerns. The second one involves flashbacks during this interrogation. Oppenheimer, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, appears as a character captivated by the enchanting world of physics, intelligent, intellectual, and arrogant. Born on April 22, 1904, in New York, Robert grew up as a smart and curious child, showing an early interest in mathematics and science. According to psychoanalytic theory, personality development is shaped by experiences and internal dynamics during childhood. Oppenheimer's father was a German-born mining engineer, and his family's passion for science may have supported his interest in science. His relationship with his father could have influenced his personality development. Although we have limited information about Oppenheimer's childhood, it can be speculated that positive and negative experiences during childhood could have shaped his personality. Ultimately, personality theories are grounded in childhood and family history. However, personality development is not only influenced by positive experiences but also by negative ones. One of the negative experiences that could have shaped Oppenheimer's personality was his role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Among scientists, there were those who opposed the ethical implications of the atomic bomb and its use. This process was a conflict of conscience for Oppenheimer, and as psychoanalytic theory suggests, internal conflicts can influence personality development. When the first atomic bomb was tested in 1945, Oppenheimer is said to have reacted with a famous Hindu quote, which is partly used as the closing sentence in the film: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." I believe we all thought about this; one way or another.

The Manhattan Project

At the beginning of World War II, the fear that Nazi Germany might develop nuclear weapons led the United States to embark on building an atomic bomb. In 1942, the "Manhattan Project" was initiated, and Robert Oppenheimer became its scientific leader. Under the guidance of Leslie Groves, played by Matt Damon, Oppenheimer managed a secret laboratory called the "Los Alamos National Laboratory," which was established in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Many scientists came to this laboratory during the three years of work. Research and tests were conducted. The idea of the hydrogen bomb emerged even before the atomic bomb was realized, and leaders hungry for blood, destruction, and death supported this project as well. Particularly in the film, during the testing phase, there was a calculation of the possibility of the atmosphere igniting when the bomb was detonated. This would have meant the end of the world. And even that possibility did not stop people. It was one of the horrifying and chilling scenes for me.

Testing and Aftermath of the Atomic Bomb

On July 16, 1945, the first nuclear bomb was successfully detonated during the Trinity test in the New Mexico desert. Nolan's decision not to use CGI and to actually detonate a real atomic bomb was one of the most striking moments in the history of cinema. I held my breath during the countdown, and I remember tears streaming down my eyes after the detonation because what followed was one of the darkest stains in human history. And this event is considered the beginning of the nuclear age in human history. However, the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan and the resulting death of hundreds of thousands of people sparked heated debates. After World War II, Oppenheimer struggled for the control and peaceful use of nuclear weapons. However, during the Cold War era, he was accused of espionage by the American government and considered a security risk. Following a security investigation during the McCarthy era, he was expelled from the American Association of Scientists and faced restrictions.

The Christopher Nolan Effect in the Film

Christopher Nolan's films are known for dealing with complex subjects and his interest in the concept of time. Especially in films like "Inception" and "Interstellar," he emphasizes the complexities of time dimensions, reality, and mental states. The mental states of characters in Nolan's films are generally intricate. They have been subjected to intense stress, forced to cope with challenging situations, or faced with conflicts within their own minds. Robert Oppenheimer is no exception in this regard. However, when we consider the film's basis in real-life events, the acting, music, and effects combined, I also support the claim that this is Nolan's best film of his career. A Few Personal Words... I would like to thank all the readers who have read my review written within the framework of the Oppenheimer film. I hope that we wake up to days when there is no war or violence in the future. Although there is much to be written and said on this subject, I conclude my words here and extend my pen to you. I look forward to your comments and contributions. The following part of my writing is about the psychological effects of war.

A Research Conducted after the Bombing in Japan

Most of the survivors in Japan were afraid that nothing would grow in the destroyed world. It was a feeling that revealed the psychological blow and trauma of the war. When spring of 1946 came, Hiroshima's citizens were surprised to see the scenery adorned with red leaves of the flowering oleander. The oleander flower, called kyochikuto in Japanese, dispelled concerns that the whole fertility of the destroyed city had been lost, and it gave hope to the people that Hiroshima would soon recover from the tragic bombing. Now the oleander, the official flower of Hiroshima, presents a beautiful symbol for the whole city; while some feared that the city and its population would be irreparably wiped out, many would be amazed to learn about the limited long-term health effects of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that would emerge later.

Within the first few months after the bombings, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (a Japanese-American collaborative organization) estimated that between 90,000 to 166,000 people were killed in Hiroshima, and between 60,000 to 80,000 people in Nagasaki. These deaths included both those who died due to the power and overwhelming heat of the explosions and those who died as a result of acute exposure to radiation. While these figures represent non-definitive estimates due to the unknown number of forced laborers and military personnel in the city and in many cases, no one was left to report the deaths as whole families were killed, determining the long-term effects through statistics has been even more difficult. The most lethal long-term effect experienced by the survivors exposed to the atomic bomb was leukemia. An increase in leukemia emerged approximately two years after the attacks and peaked about four to six years later. Children represent the population most severely affected. Approximately seventy years after the bombings took place, most of the generation who were alive at that time has passed away. Now, attention has shifted to the children born to the survivors. Studies like the one led by E. Nakashima in 1994 showed that exposure in the womb resulted in a small increase in head size and intellectual disability and also impaired physical growth. Studies also found that the rates of cancer in those exposed in utero were lower than those who were children at the time of the attacks.

Taking all this into account, war is one of the most destructive events that has affected societies since the existence of mankind. Wars are not only marked by physical destruction but also leave deep imprints on the psyches of participants and even those who remain outside the war. The psychological effects of war can impact individuals and communities' quality of life for many years and even extend through generations.

Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: Soldiers actively involved in wars face intense stress factors such as facing death, violence, separation, and identification. This can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which manifests with symptoms such as nightmares, memories, and exaggerated responses to triggering events.

Depression and Anxiety: War can cause long-term depression and anxiety disorders in individuals. Those who have experienced the effects of violence, destruction, and loss may carry worries about the future and lose pleasure in their daily lives.

Anger and Revenge: Individuals on the losing side of a war and even after peace agreements may experience feelings of revenge. These emotions can hinder societal reconciliation and compromise processes.

Loss and Mourning: Individuals who lost loved ones in wars go through mourning processes. Mourning is a psychological process that lasts a long time and affects a person's life. Societies experiencing losses can also face collective mourning processes.

Difficulty in Social Relations: The effects of war can also impact relationships between families, friends, and neighbors. Individuals who have gone through war may struggle to adapt upon their return and experience social isolation.

War Syndrome: War syndrome is a condition consisting of mood disorders, behavioral changes, and physical symptoms experienced by individuals who served in active war zones. Factors such as prolonged exposure, shock, and constant threat can lead to war syndrome.

Final Thoughts...

Thank you to all my readers who read my review for the Oppenheimer movie. I hope that we wake up to days when there is no war or violence in the future. Although there is much to be written and said on this subject, I conclude my words here and extend my pen to you. I look forward to your comments and contributions.