Oppenheimer has finally hit theaters, and the story follows the life of J Robert Oppenheimer, dubbed the father of the atomic bomb.
While the film has a really impressive cast, starring Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt and, of course, Cillian Murphy – the film also stars Florence Pugh in a small but important role as Jean Tatlock, one of Oppenheimer’s lovers and an important part of his life. But who is Jean in real life and what happened to her? Find out here…
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In the film, Jean is mostly uninterested in Oppenheimer, but despite being unimpressed with him and his penchant for buying flowers, she finds herself drawn to him. She was portrayed as a troublesome woman and a fervent communist – this later became an issue during Oppenheimer’s handling of security trial. The couple had a brief encounter after Oppenheimer married Kitty Puening.
The film also shows Oppenheimer’s breakdown over Jean’s death after she committed suicide shortly after their last night together.
© Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicFlorence Pugh as Jean Tatlock and Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in OPPENHEIMER
In fact, Jean was actually a member of the communist section of the United States of America and worked as a psychiatrist. She began a relationship with Oppenheimer in 1936, when she was 22 and he was 32, when she was a graduate student and he was a physics professor at Berkley. It seems that, just like in the movie, Oppenheimer cares more about their relationship than she does, and he proposed to her twice, and both times Jean turned him down.
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Jean also wrote to her friend to discuss her thoughts that she might be gay, writing that “There was a time when I thought I was gay. In a way, I’m still forced to believe it, but really, logically, I’m sure No, they might just be because they’re not masculine”.
© Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pic In the film, Oppenheimer is devastated by her death
She was clinically depressed and was found by her father after she died by suicide on January 4, 1944. As in the movie, she is found in the bathroom with pillows stacked next to the tub. She left an unsigned message that read: “I loathe it all… To those who have loved and helped me, all honor and courage.” I want to live and contribute but somehow I am still paralyzed. I tried my best to understand but couldn’t… I thought I would be a hindrance for the rest of my life—at least I could take the burden of a numb soul from a troubled world.”
Since then there have been conspiracy theories that Jean was indeed murdered. The psychiatrist was spied on by the FBI and tapped her phone because of her ties to the Communist Party and her connection to Oppenheimer. However, none of these theories have ever been proven.
© Getty Images Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer said of their relationship during his security hearing in 1954, saying: “We came close to marriage at least twice to think we were engaged. From 1939 until her death in 1944, I very rarely saw her.
“She told me about her membership in the Communist Party; it was repetitive work that never seemed to give her what she was looking for. I didn’t believe it. her hobby is really politics. She loves this country, its people and its life.”
© Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicOppenheimer and Strauss speaking at Oppenheimer
“As it turned out, she was friends with many fellow communists and fellows, some of whom I later met. I should not give the impression that it was only because of Jean Tatlock that I befriended leftists, or that I felt sympathy for things that hitherto seemed so far away to me, such as a loyal career in Spain and an organization of other immigrant workers. I feel that I have become part of the life of my time and my country.”
© Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicEmily Blunt to play Kitty Oppenheimer in new movie
Part of the hearing, which is also featured in the film, also discussed her mental health, saying: “She expressed her great desire to see me before we left. [for Los Alamos]. I couldn’t go at that time. First of all, I shouldn’t have said where we were going or anything like that. I felt he had to see me. She received psychiatric treatment. She’s extremely unhappy.” He added that she was “still in love” with him when he met her.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education