Fat Man and Little Boy
Seen it?1989 | 127 min | Drama, History, War
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 6.2 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved The Zone of Interest or The Right Stuff, start here.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 7 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.
Assigned to oversee the development of the atomic bomb, Gen. Leslie Groves is a stern military man determined to have the project go according to plan. He selects J. Robert Oppenheimer as the key scientist on the top-secret operation, but the two men clash fiercely on a number of issues. Despite their frequent conflicts, Groves and Oppenheimer ultimately push ahead with two bomb designs — the bigger "Fat Man" and the more streamlined "Little Boy."
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 94K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Roland Joffé
- Paul NewmanGen. Leslie R. Groves
- Dwight SchultzJ. Robert Oppenheimer
- Bonnie BedeliaKitty Oppenheimer
- John CusackMichael Merriman
- Laura DernKathleen Robinson
- Ron FrazierPeter de Silva
- John C. McGinleyRichard Schoenfield
- Natasha RichardsonJean Tatlock
- Ron VawterJamie Latrobe
- Michael BrockmanWilliam "Deke" Parsons