Fat Man and Little Boy

Though Newman gets top billing and has a number of showy scenes that allow him to flex his dramatic muscles as the grousing, growly-voiced general in charge of the project, his character is by necessity an outside observer. But because the film tries to make him a central character the focus becomes lopsided and uncomfortable. Still it's a wonderful star turn and quite a bit different than the Paul Newman image we're accustomed to.

Schultz is also good, seeming to have taken the world upon his shoulders and wondering in the end if he's made the right decision. But he is by design a stiff, unemotional character, and that becomes a debit. Cusack is more or less the same endearing, charming fellow he always plays — but that's no complaint.

The fine actresses chosen to play the women in the film are all extremely underused, and that may explain why each gets a dramatic — or melodramatic — moment: Bonnie Bedelia, playing Oppenheimer's wife, has the most thankless role, but Natasha Richardson, as Oppenheimer's mistress, shines in her two brief scenes, leaving an impression that lingers throughout the rest of the film. Laura Dern is also effective as the nurse in love with Cusack, a sappy role that she invests with a great deal of dignity.

On balance, "Fat Man and Little Boy" is a major disappointment.

It is rated PG-13 for some accidental violence, a few profanities and the aforementioned sex scene with Schultz and Richardson.