Paul Schrader; why the screenwriter’s comments on ‘Oppenheimer’ carry so much weight - but who is he?

As we inch closer to “Barbenheimer” day, with two of this year’s most anticipated movies, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” finally reaching what little theatres remain open this Friday, reviews for both have now started to come out as their embargoes have been lifted. 

While “Barbie” has been getting somewhat mixed reviews from places such as The Guardian, it is “Oppenheimer” which has gained considerable acclaim from both the authors of the book Nolan based his work on, audiences and critics alike. But it is the pantheon of seasoned industry types that have added a huge amount of gravitas ahead of its opening - with one screen legend weighing in on the film with a very loaded compliment.

Upon seeing the film, screenwriter Paul Schrader heralded the work as “the most important film of this century” - admittedly, we’re only 23 years into this century. However the sentiments, especially given the storied history of Schrader’s work as a screenwriter and the company he keeps just adds further weight to how important this film may be not just for cinema, but also for the flagging box office numbers that have crippled the industry this summer.

His comments, made on his Facebook feed, also called Nolan’s latest epic and integral watch this year; “if you see one film in cinemas this year it should be Oppenheimer. I’m not a Nolan groupie but this one blows the doors off the hinges.” This naturally has led to the topic at PeopleWorld as to what to see first - “Oppenheimer” then “Barbie,” or vice versa?

It’s also led to a conversation about who  Paul Schrader is, and why his comments about the film carry so much zeal ahead of its widespread opening in cinemas and IMAX this weekend?

Who is Paul Schrader?

A very good friend of Martin Scorsese, if you look at the amount of collaborations the pair have worked on; no less that four, including Oscar winning and nominated titles including “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull” (which he co wrote), “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “Bringing Out The Dead.” 

You can also count Steven Spielberg as part of the group of acquaintances Schrader keeps; he initially was asked to write a script for the 1977 film “Close Encounters of a Third Kind,” but it didn’t get picked up as, according to Spielberg was "one of the most embarrassing screenplays ever professionally turned in to a major film studio or director" and "a terribly guilt-ridden story not about UFOs at all."

But given Scorsese’s predilection to the idea of lapsed religion that has permeated his works, it seemed like an ideal partnership going forwards.

But Schrader wasn’t just confined to the writer’s desk; in 1978 he made his directorial debut with “Blue Collar,” featuring comedian Richard Pryor in one of his rare serious roles and reuniting with Harvey Keitel, who starred in Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” two years earlier. The film was universally praised and as of writing still holds at 98% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, prompting Schrader to direct “Hardcore,” starring George C. Scott a year later.

He directed Richard Gere in his era-defining role of in 1980’s “American Gigolo” that broke the actor into leading man status, which is still considered one of the most iconic films of that decade, but despite his numerous, acclaimed works, the screenwriter has never received an Academy Award, and his first nomination only came in 2019 with the release of his 22nd directorial effort, “First Reformed.”

What is Paul Schrader’s net worth?

Despite his long list of films that he has been involved in throughout his career, his current net worth is estimated as only $30 Million USD; leading to even more questions about the screenwriter’s enquiry in light of the current WGA strikes.