Summary
Oppenheimer’s opening “Can You Hear The Music” montage features a scene where the titular figure smashes glasses against a wall. This raises an intriguing question: Is the scene associated with Oppenheimer’s future scientific discoveries, or does it foreshadow something deeper in his story? Interestingly, since the glass-breaking scene is open to interpretation, it can be associated with Oppenheimer’s scientific prowess and also be seen as a symbol of some crucial aspects of his narrative in the film.
With Ludwig Göransson’s “Can You Hear The Music” playing in the background,Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerwalks through some of the early days of the titular figure’s life in its opening moments as he studies theoretical physics at the University of Göttingen. The sequence features everything from a cubist Picasso painting to T.S. Eliot’sThe Wastelandpoem. Each scene seemingly holds immense value in the overarching narrative, but the glass-breaking scene, in particular, reveals a lot about J. Robert Oppenheimer’s journey and scientific endeavors.
Atomic Bomb vs Hydrogen Bomb: Differences & Oppenheimer’s Development Choice Explained
Oppenheimer follows the creation of the atomic bomb, but the hydrogen bomb, and Robert’s views on it, were crucial to the movie’s ending.
Oppenheimer’s Glass-Breaking Scene Captures The Core Idea Behind The Atomic Bomb’s Discovery
Oppenheimer’s Seemingly Visualizes The Entropy From Nuclear Fission In The Scene
Oppenheimer breaks one glass after another against a wall in his room and closely observes the shattering pieces. The breaking of the glass perfectly represents the core concept that drives an atomic bomb.An atomic bomb functions on the principle of nuclear fissionin which an atom’s nucleus is split into multiple smaller parts. The splitting of an atom releases a burst of energy in the form of radiation and heat, leading to extreme disorder in a system.
By breaking the glasses against the wall and visualizing how its smaller fragments break into disorder, Oppenheimer seemingly visualizes the highly entropic process that follows the splitting of an atom.
Since nuclear fission is highly entropic, a physicist like Oppenheimer must determine how to control and manipulate the process to be able to harness its energy in the form of a bomb. By breaking the glasses against the wall and noticing how its smaller fragments break into disorder, Oppenheimer seemingly visualizes the highly entropic process that follows the splitting of an atom. This seemingly helps him understand the greater implications of nuclear fission, leading him to eventually discover the atomic bomb. Put simply, he “hears the music” when he breaks the glasses.
The Shattered Glass Is A Metaphor For Oppenheimer’s Dark Future
It Represents The Irreversible Nature Of Actions
From a metaphorical standpoint, the shattered glass represents the irreversible impact of Oppenheimer’s actions. Like broken glass shatters into hundreds (if not thousands) of tiny pieces that cannot simply be put back together,even the invention of the atomic bomb leads to consequences Oppenheimer cannot reverse. His invention of the atomic bomb not only ripples down to unimaginable destruction in Japan but also escalates into chaos in his personal life. Ultimately, just like the infinite shattered pieces of glass remain scattered,Oppenheimer, too, is forced to live with the regret and moral burdens of his scientific achievements.
Oppenheimer
Cast
Oppenheimer is a film by Christopher Nolan, which follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy will play the titular role, with the story based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
