The most divisive aspect of Christopher Nolan’s films has won them several Academy Awards, and from the looks of it, Oppenheimer will continue this trend. After shattering several box office records in 2023 and becoming the highest-grossing World War II movie of all time, Oppenheimer is now set to make a significant impact on the awards circuit, especially the Academy Awards. Although Christopher Nolan has not won any Oscars in the Best Director and Best Picture categories so far, Oppenheimer has the potential to change that narrative.
As the award season approaches and the buzz around Oppenheimer grows, it is hard not to wonder what other categories the movie will land nominations in. While only time will tell how many Oscar nominations and wins Oppenheimer will eventually earn, one win will prove that the most divisive part of Nolan’s movies can surprisingly be a source of triumph as well. This divisive element in his films has already gotten 5 Oscars, and a sixth one, too, now seems very likely.
Oppenheimer Sneakily Wins Big In Google 2023 Data
As 2023 draws to a close, new data from Google reveals that Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was the source of some interesting trending queries.
Why Christopher Nolan’s Sound Mixing Is Often So Divisive
The polarizing opinions about Nolan’s sound mixing explained
It is universally agreed that Christopher Nolan orchestrates some of the most narratively compelling movies. However, when it comes to the sound mixing in his films, many viewers and even directors have expressed their dissatisfaction. The reason behind this is that often, the background scores and sound effects in Christopher Nolan’s movies, especially in Tenet, are so loud that it becomes hard to comprehend character dialogue. While this issue was more evident in Tenet than in other films directed by Nolan, it seems like the director has not changed his ways even in his more recent film, Oppenheimer, despite receiving immense criticism.
Since Oppenheimer is less action-oriented and more character-driven, it has fewer sound mixing issues compared to Nolan’s previous films. However, there are moments in the biopic where it is evident that background noises and scores are prioritized over dialogue. These obvious issues in the movie’s sound mixing have given many viewers and critics some room to complain about an otherwise arguably flawless biopic. Not everyone is dissatisfied with Nolan’s approach though. Many see eye to eye with Nolan’s vision of not taking a conservation approach with sound. They appreciate how the director creates an immersive experience for audiences with his emphasis on sound effects and background scores.
The polar views surrounding Nolan’s use of sound mixing highlight how his approach can be both revolutionary and contentious depending on who is watching. Some find it hard to appreciate the immersive and artistically bold soundscapes in his films that come at the cost of easily discernible dialogue. On the other hand, there are others who admire how he pushes boundaries with his sound-mixing approach to ensure audiences are left stimulated by the sensory tapestry that complements his movie scenes. Regardless of what one thinks about the sound mixing in Nolan’s films, the director’s history of Oscar nods suggests he is doing something right.
Christopher Nolan Movies Have Won 5 Sound Oscars, Despite Being Divisive
Nolan’s films have clinched five Oscars in the sound caterory
The Dark Knight was the first Christopher Nolan movie to win an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing, proving that despite being divisive, the director’s films revolutionized sound in ways only a few others did. This trend continued when Inception not only won an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing but also for Best Sound Mixing. Dunkirk further cemented this trend when it secured the Academy Award for both Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Although Tenet and Interstellar could not achieve the same feats in the sound department, Oppenheimer seems to have all the right ingredients to advance Nolan’s winning streak.
Oppenheimer Could Win Best Sound At The 2024 Oscars
Oppenheimer is already a top contender for Best Sound at Oscars 2024
Richard King, the sound designer/supervising and sound editor for Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, Inception, and The Dark Night, returned for the director’s Oppenheimer, already setting the film on the right path towards landing Oscar 2024 nods for sound. The movie’s sound team also included music and sound effects mixer Kevin O’Connell, who won his first Academy Award for Hacksaw Ridge after setting the record of landing 20 nominations but no wins at the Oscars. Dialogue mixer Gary Rizzo, who previously worked with Nolan on Dunkirk and Inception, was also a part of the film, which further solidified Oppenheimer‘s auditory prowess.
With so many talented forces behind Oppenheimer‘s sound department, it became hard not to bet the film would likely earn an Oscar for Best Sound. While the film may face some competition from movies like Maestro and American Symphony, the brilliant orchestration of sounds in Oppenheimer‘s Trinity Test scene easily makes it a top contender. Only time will tell whether Oppenheimer will win Best Sound at the 2024 Oscars. However, if Oppenheimer does win, it will reestablish how, despite being divisive, the sound in Nolan’s movies is groundbreaking and influential.
Oppenheimer
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.
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
- Cast
- Cillian Murphy , Emily Blunt , Matt Damon , Robert Downey Jr. , Rami Malek , Florence Pugh
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 150 Minutes
- Genres
- Drama , History , Biography
- Writers
- Christopher Nolan
- Budget
- $100 Million
- Studio(s)
- Syncopy Inc. , Atlas Entertainment
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
