First of all, I am thoroughly sympathetic to the mission of this film. The discussion over the use of atomic bombs, and whether it was necessary, is one that has caused many a strong (and I'd say often shocking in its myopic jingoism), reaction among older Americans, As an American ex-pat living in Japan for nearly 20 years, this is of particular interest for me. So when I see my fellow typical, good-hearted country people blithely glorifying their team as "bombers", using a mushroom cloud as a town logo, and using bumper sticker tropes as rationalization for weapons of mass destruction, I can unfortunately recognize them, all too well. The gentleman who remarks to the effect that "if we hadn't, we'd all be speaking Japanese now" is the stuff of face-palming.
The film does a reasonably good job balancing different aspects of the situation in Hanford and Richland... the generations of past and current residents, overwhelmingly white, the Indigenous groups from whom the land was appropriated, a single female artist of Japanese heritage, and a short scene of some Gen Z'ers sharing opinions.
My one wish is that the film had spent more time with the locals, sharing their opinions, not mawkishly like a Michael Moore film, but enough for true colors to be shown. An early scene with some older gentlemen in a diner does go on a bit too long, with overly patriotic songs being sung, but that was the right idea. A later contributor, seemingly more moderate about perhaps removing the mushroom cloud from the city and high school banners, takes an odd turn when he becomes a Robert E. Lee and Confederate apologist.
Other locals, more directly affected by the exposure to the refinement of nuclear materials, relate personal stories, and read poetry that, while certainly heartfelt, can't be considered much more than mediocre.
The Gen Z scene was very heartening though. For the most part, completely seeing through the BS rationalizations of older generations, and having an adult (far more adult than the old-timers at the diner!) discussion about a serious issue.
One last thing about the final scene (no spoiler). It is clearly meant to be a powerful message. And I did feel it as a viewer, to some degree. But that is largely due, I think, to the fact that I am an American living in Japan, and not Japanese. I haven't *earned* the emotion for that scene. I am recommending it to all my Japanese friends to see how they regard it, however.
