Oppenheimer tells the complex story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb,” from his involvement in the Manhattan Project to his personal affairs. The 2023 epic biographical thriller film, directed and written by Christopher Nolan, does its best to be an accurate portrayal of the theoretical physicist and not paint him as this American hero, especially because he is viewed as a controversial figure in United States history and many have different opinions on him. Aside from his significant contributions to the making of nuclear weapons during World War II, the movie also showcases Oppenheimer’s cheating scandals.
As depicted in Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer married Emily Blunt’s Katherine “Kitty” Puening in 1940, but their relationship didn’t start on the right foot. They met while Kitty was still married to Richard Stewart Harrison, and the two proceeded to have an affair that turned out not to be the best-kept secret. However, Kitty and Harrison divorced once she became pregnant with Oppenheimer’s child. Oppenheimer and Kitty wed, and she gave birth to their child, but he was simultaneously cheating on her.
Oppenheimer Features Two Of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s Affairs
Like in real life, J. Robert Oppenheimer had an affair with Florence Pugh’s Jean Tatlock in Oppenheimer. Jean was a psychiatrist who Oppenheimer met while she was a graduate student and he was a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The 2023 epic biographical thriller primarily focuses on Oppenheimer’s relationship with Jean because of its tragic ending. But the theoretical physicist was cheating on his wife with more than one woman.
Oppenheimer was also having an affair with Ruth Tolman, played by Louise Lombard, during his marriage to Kitty in Oppenheimer. Ruth was a psychologist, and her husband, Tom Jenkins’s Richard Tolman, was the chief scientific advisor to Major General Leslie Groves, portrayed by Matt Damon in the movie, during the Manhattan Project. So, Oppenheimer formed two romantic connections with other women while he was married to Kitty.
Oppenheimer Beat A 7-Year-Old Movie To Set A Box Office Record That May Never Be Topped
Oppenheimer set several records during its cinematic run and one box office record may never be topped after beating a 7-year-old movie to claim it.
Why Oppenheimer Barely Shows The Ruth Tolman Affair
Even though Oppenheimer’s affair with Ruth was quite prominent and emotional, Nolan decided to highlight his relationship with Jean instead in his 2023 film. The reasoning behind this choice is likely because of the turbulent nature of Oppenheimer and Jean’s affair and how it ended. She had deep feelings for him while he was still married to Kitty and committed to maintaining his marriage to her. Several months after the end of their affair, Jean died by suicide. However, as Oppenheimer acknowledges, some believe that Jean was murdered.
