Oppenheimer has a 'major problem' in the eyes of Jonathan Ross

Christopher Nolan's atomic biopic is up for 13 Oscars this weekend.

OPPENHEIMER  2023 Universal Pictures film with Cillian Murphy as Robert Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer. (Universal Pictures)

Oppenheimer is not ranked highly by Jonathan Ross, despite the inevitable Oscars glory awaiting it this weekend.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, who gave us The Dark Knight trilogy, his latest project is nominated for a possible 13 gongs, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. In it, Cillian Murphy plays father of the atom bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer, with the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett and Matt Damon onscreen as other historical figures.

Read more: Oppenheimer review: Cillian Murphy gives a career-best performance in masterful war drama

Discussing the Best Picture contenders with The Mirror, talkshow host Ross selected "the craftsmanship" as Oppenheimer's main strength, but it was Nolan's script (adapted from the 2005 biography American Prometheus) that he couldn't buy into. "It was the script I had a major problem with. It felt meandering and somewhat unfocussed," he claimed.

As a dialogue-heavy Second World War biopic unfolding across three hours, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea.

Jonathan Ross is hosting ITV's coverage of the Oscars. (ITV)
Jonathan Ross is hosting ITV's coverage of the Oscars. (ITV)

Meanwhile, Ross also weighed in on the Best Actress and Best Actor categories, which see Bradley Cooper, Paul Giamatti, Carey Mulligan and Emma Stone all vying for a golden statuette.

"I'm not surprised at the list particularly. Bradley, [Maestro] was one of those movies that was designed for award season. Once again, it didn't excite me," he shared.

Read more: Oscars host Jonathan Ross shares scathing criticism of awards season

"[Best Actress] I think it'll go to Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon. Once again a movie I didn't particularly like, but I thought her performance was absolutely stunning. Really, without her in the film it's nothing in my opinion.

"I loved American Fiction, I thought Jeffrey Wright did an incredible job in it. I think the film is a little messy and undercooked in some areas, I think that will work against it and I don't think he'll get the award but it's nice to see him on the list."

The Oscars will be live-streamed on ITV1 and ITVX at 10.30pm tonight.

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