Watch Fat Man and Little Boy

Fat Man and Little Boy is a biographical drama film directed by Roland Joffé in 1989. The movie depicts the development of the atomic bomb by American scientists during World War II. The film features an all-star cast including Paul Newman, Dwight Schultz, and Bonnie Bedelia. Set in 1942, the movie follows the efforts of General Leslie R. Groves (played by Newman) and scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Schultz) to develop the world's first atomic bomb. Groves was tasked with overseeing the construction of the bomb in secret, while Oppenheimer was the scientific mastermind behind the project.

The film takes its title from the two bombs that were dropped on Japan in 1945 - Fat Man and Little Boy. The movie chronicles the trials and tribulations of the scientists as they raced against time to develop the bomb before the Germans did.

The film eloquently portrays the tension and ethical dilemmas that the scientists faced during the project. The government put enormous pressure on them to develop a weapon that would help to end the war, but they also had to grapple with the terrible consequences of building such a devastating weapon.

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the intense relationship between Groves and Oppenheimer. Groves was a no-nonsense military man who was determined to complete the project on time and under budget. Oppenheimer, on the other hand, was a brilliant scientist who understood the implications of what he was working on and struggled with the moral dilemmas involved.

The two men clashed often, with Groves pushing Oppenheimer to work harder and faster, while Oppenheimer struggled to reconcile his moral beliefs with what he was helping to create. The film does an excellent job of balancing the personalities of the two men, showing how they each brought different strengths and weaknesses to the project.

Bonnie Bedelia also gives a standout performance as Kitty Oppenheimer, J. Robert Oppenheimer's wife. Her character plays an essential role in the film, serving as the voice of humanity and compassion in a project that could have easily become consumed by cold calculations and scientific ambition.

The film also effectively depicts the danger and consequences of working on the atomic bomb. The scientists were frequently exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, and many suffered long-term health consequences as a result. The movie showcases the sacrifices that these scientists made for their country and the world, as they worked tirelessly to complete the project.

Overall, Fat Man and Little Boy is a thought-provoking drama that effectively portrays the intricate and ethical dimensions of this historical event. The film has an all-star cast, top-notch production values, and tackles a subject matter that still resonates with audiences today. If you're interested in historical events or want to learn more about the development of the atomic bomb, Fat Man and Little Boy is a must-see film.

Fat Man and Little Boy is a 1989 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 50.