After years of faithfully filling in the supporting cast for director Christopher Nolan, Irish actor Cillian Murphy is finally set to take centre stage with the film, 'Oppenheimer'. Since first getting his hand on the script in Nolan's Dublin hotel room to sinking into the narrow silhouette of J Robert Oppenheimer, the journey has been a 'dream', said Cillian in an exclusive statement to ETimes.
As he gears up to present to the world a film about the charismatic and controversial theoretical physicist who helped create the atomic bomb, the actor got candid about working on the new Nolan film with an all-star cast, his experience watching the film on the IMAX screen and why this Oscar-favourite will resonate with everyone.
Excerpts:
What has it meant for you to portray the lead character of J Robert Oppenheimer in a Christopher Nolan film supported by such an extraordinary star cast?
It's a dream, really. I never imagined working with all these actors in one movie. I think it's one of the greatest modern ensembles that Christopher Nolan has put together. But that just shows you how everybody wants to work with Chris. These actors will turn up because they love his movies and his writing. He's an incredible director! So, yes, it was a gift for me every day. Also, when you wake up knowing you are doing a scene with Matt Damon, Kenneth Branagh, Emily Blunt, or Gary Oldman, it's just kind of electrifying. So, you have to turn up the volume on your own performance a little bit.
What did you think when you first saw the completed film?
Well, with Chris there is no video village or monitors or anything like that. It's film cameras; so, you don't see any playback. The first frame of the movie that I saw was the first trailer. And then, when I finally got to see the finished film, it was completely overwhelming. But, because there had been a gap between wrapping the movie and watching it, I suppose I had some distance. I hate looking at myself, and I don't really know any actor that enjoys the experience, but I found I was completely blown away by Oppenheimer. It's a truly essential, cinematic, and immersive experience – particularly in IMAX. And I felt that. I would like to watch it maybe once more with an audience.
You've worked with Christopher Nolan in several films, how would you describe him as a director?
Well, I think he's kind of the ideal director because he writes, directs, and produces movies. He’s incredible visually, and he is extraordinary with actors. Very few directors have all those talents in one person.
Have you seen any change in Nolan over the years, working with him on these different projects?
I guess he's become more and more confident in the sort of stories that he wants to tell. And I think he's more and more confident in making films within the studio system that actually challenge the audience. I have always loved that he has presupposed the level of intelligence with audiences, knowing they are smart enough to go with him, and he never patronizes them. He's never prescriptive or didactic in his movies. They are always kind of a challenge to you; so, you need to do the work, but the reward you get is terrific. I've learned so much from him. Working with Chris has changed my creative and professional life, and I hope I continue (to work with him).
Why do you think Oppenheimer's story resonates and connects with us all?
There's a universality to it that people connect to. People understand the themes that are in this movie. There are big questions being asked of the audience, and no answers being given – which I think is always excellent filmmaking. But it's also a thriller and a love story, and to me, there are elements of horror in there as well. So, all that just resonates with an audience. And I think the period setting, however familiar or not you may be with what happened in 1945, will wrap you up in it too. This movie grabs you by the throat from the beginning, and you just don't take a breath from start to finish. We are now living in a nuclear age because of what happened then. I mean, Oppenheimer changed the world, and we are living with the fallout of that event ever since.
Why do you think it is so important for audiences to experience this film in cinemas?
For me, it's the best way to experience a film – in a darkened space with strangers. There's just no interruption: you're not going to answer the door or make a cup of tea. You're invested, you paid your money, you’ve got your snacks, and you're there. There's something hugely romantic about it to me, and there always will be. Also, I think what's extra special about this movie is that it’s talking about the world. It's really digging up what it means to be human and our responsibility as humans on this planet, and what we do with the power that we can harness – which in this case is this extraordinary destructive and appalling weapon. I think it was Truffaut who said that we go to films not only to escape from life but also to learn about life. And I believe Oppenheimer is one of those great movies that is incredibly entertaining, but also makes you think.
'Oppenheimer', which is rooted in historical facts and actual transcripts, releases in theatres on July 21. It features a starry cast including Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, Matt Damon as the man who hired Oppenheimer for the job at Los Alamos, Robert Downey Jr as a founder of the Atomic Energy Commission and many more rounding out the pivotal players in and around this tense moment that changed the course of history.
