Talking Talarico: ‘Barbie’ vs. ‘Oppenheimer’

“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” open on the same day. “Oppenheimer” is a film that portrays the life of the main man responsible for creating the atomic bomb, a controversial subject in itself. However, there are plenty of biopics about celebrities from various backgrounds, from assassins to saints. The film well addresses the complexity of the protagonist, who was clearly no saint, but a genius. But, as a character says at a certain point: genius does not mean knowledge. Who was Oppenheimer then? What inspired this man to create this weapon of mass destruction? The film doesn’t give definitive answers, but it does generate many reflections.

First of all, this work succeeds in showing the intelligence of the person in an impressive way. Director Christopher Nolan (“Inception”, “Batman: The Dark Knight”) did an excellent job in the script and direction, with an emphasis on the use of sound and soundtrack, which contribute to the creation of an intense, tense and expected atmosphere. The use of sound and silence at the right time is excellent and keeps us immersed in the plot.

I also remembered another movie that also impressed in this sound aspect, “Memory”, which I recommend to those who want to have a unique experience. However, Oppenheimer’s use of sound is another part of the atmosphere created by the director and a well-used device to enhance the power of the film.

courtroom movie

Interesting, because a great friend, the great film critic Andrea Cursino, mentioned that she didn’t like Nolan because, in her opinion, despite always making technically great movies, she felt the filmmaker couldn’t tell a story well. After “Oppenheimer” ended, I was really impressed and looked forward to Andrea, who spoke well of Nolan’s work this time. I even believe that the film should get several Oscar nominations and possibly a few wins as well.

The cast is filled with excellent actors, including Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy, who does a perfect job as Oppenheimer. In short, this is a film that addresses a controversial subject but manages to capture the complexity of the protagonists in an impressive way, especially through Hoyte Van Hoytema’s masterful use of photography and (very) exceptional performances. For example, Emily Blunt as the wife of biologist and botanist Catherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer puts on a show every time she appears, bringing all the necessary nuance to her character. Although, on the other hand, Florence Pugh clearly sucks in the role of psychiatrist Jean Tatlock.

The feature follows Nolan’s style, in a non-linear story that jumps back and forth between different moments in the protagonist’s life. In this way, it feels like two movies in one, one with a “courtroom movie” style. It’s long, almost three hours, but I didn’t feel like it passed. Even when I knew what was going to happen, the director still managed to make me tense and hopeful and above all, surprise me. The close-ups are used very well and the expressiveness is skillfully enhanced, bringing out the best in the actors.

“Oppenheimer” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Based on Sherwin’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer”. Premieres July 20.

barbie

On the other hand, on the same day, ‘Barbie’ will release across the theatres. A film that has a lot of hype and already has the biggest pre-sales in the history of Warner Pictures in Brazil. I saw it in the closed session of the press on the morning of the 18th. It’s fun, but it doesn’t bring out the best in Greta Gerwig, known for good work among moviegoers. This is very professional. But how could it not be, right? This is the origin of the Barbie doll.

Many expected a work with a more indie footprint, but Greta went through a light-hearted and good-humored critique of the system. It’s funny enough, but not as much as “Lucas Em Apuros,” which premieres August 4.

Protagonist Margot Robbie is great as Barbie, but the one who steals the scene is Ryan Gosling as Ken. The iconic doll was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler. Margot lives the life of the classic Barbie (ie, the most stereotypical), living in Barbieland, a perfect world where all women are called Barbies and can be whatever they want. However, during a celebration, the protagonist has a deep thought about death, which starts the entire story of the film.

The representation of Barbielandia is great, with a beautiful art direction, perfect in what it proposes, and within the logical logic of a children’s game. It’s a matriarchal world out there – and a confusing one. However, when Barbie visits the “real” world and is faced with problems such as anxiety, harassment, and lack of money, she learns important lessons about life. Barbie’s relationship with Gloria (America Ferrera) and her teenage daughter, Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), provides a perspective on the doll’s influence on different generations, though the plot could have gone deeper on the two’s development.

“Barbie” criticizes the system in which the doll participates that inspired her, and that she helped maintain during all these years, however, despite getting good laughs, it does not excite. This is not a children’s film and is not suitable for children. The use of metalanguage is great, with lots of surprises and really unexpectedly funny moments.

In the fight against the excellent “Oppenheimer”, “Barbie” easily wins at the box office, but, cinematically, it is a bomb.