The Manhattan Project (1986)

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Named after the World War II-era program, the plot revolves around a gifted high school student who decides to construct a nuclear bomb for a national science fair. The film's underlying theme involves the Cold War of the 1980s when government secrecy and mutually assured destruction were key political and military issues.

Film Overview
"The Manhattan Project" is a sci-fi thriller film from 1986 directed by Marshall Brickman. The movie stars John Lithgow, Christopher Collet, Cynthia Nixon, and Jill Eikenberry. The story follows a precocious high school student who builds a nuclear bomb with plutonium stolen from a scientist's lab. The movie is named after the World War II job that culminated in the advancement of the a-bomb.

Plot
The movie's protagonist, Paul Stephens (played by Chris Collet), is a really intense and resourceful 16-year-old with a style for science. His mom's boyfriend, Dr. John Mathewson (John Lithgow), is a nuclear researcher dealing with a top-secret atomic task in Ithaca, New York. Paul ends up being suspicious of Mathewson after an unexpected direct exposure to a green radioactive compound throughout a tour of the lab. To validate his suspicions about Mathewson being associated with unsafe activities, Paul burglarize the lab and steals a smidgen of plutonium, with the audacious idea of building an atomic bomb for his high school science fair.

Paul's Nuclear Challenge
Assisted by his girlfriend, Jenny Anderman, portrayed by a young Cynthia Nixon, Paul starts the dangerous task of constructing a nuclear device. As they end up being significantly familiar with the dangers, Jenny urges Paul to seek assistance, but he insists on continuing, wishing to expose the government's cover-up. The process stimulates risk, intrigue, and the attention of the authorities.

Dispute and Resolution
When the government finds the missing out on plutonium, they presume Mathewson and put an urgent plan into action to capture the young nuclear engineer. Understanding Paul's plan, Mathewson attempts to undermine the science fair, but Paul escapes with the bomb to American Strategic Air Command. The movie climaxes with a nerve-wracking remote disarming of the bomb. In the end, Paul and Jenny handle to expose the secret nuclear project, causing it being shut down.

Important Reception
"The Manhattan Project" is marked by tense minutes, appealing performances, especially by Lithgow and Collet, and a darkly funny exploration of the seriousness of nuclear weapons. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews. Numerous critics applauded its property and the efficiencies of its main leads but criticized the movie for doing not have tension and proper execution.

Last Word
"The Manhattan Project" is a captivating take a look at the frightening implications of nuclear proliferation, revealed through the lens of a high school science project gone wrong. It highlights the themes of the possible misuse of clinical knowledge and the ethical duties that come with effective info. Regardless of its imperfections, the movie is remembered for bringing a scientific twist to the coming-of-age genre.

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