Hidden Figures
Here comes a film about three women who were
crucial to the American space race and not many know about this story. I
certainly did not. I’d say these types of biopics are necessary as
awareness for people who have contributed so much in the past and shaped
our lives in a better way. The film is about three black women who try
to overcome segregation and unequal work rights in the workplace. One of
these women (a mathematician), calculates the trajectory for Project
Mercury and the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon.
This film is one that’s built on its
performances, especially a typically strong one from Taraji P. Henson.
She’s almost always great in her roles. Hidden Figures required to be a
sort of mousy, quiet worker. However, the prejudice against her because
of her race/gender get to her and then she becomes impassioned.
Katherine Goble Johnson (who is played by Henson) is a brilliant person
and is able to snide it in a few situations to people who doubted her. I
also liked Janelle Monae in this and hope to see her in more in the
future.
As I stated earlier this is a story that not
many people know about. I know of John Glenn and his accomplishments
but not of the women behind what he did. The film is powerful in the
fact that it shows how unexpected people can be responsible for great
things. The film also carries a message of moving on from segregation
and moving towards something great (as a result of being united). The
messages are very important and the film is very safe in its exploration
of discrimination, which should please general moviegoers.
I wasn’t a big fan of Theodore Melfi’s St.
Vincent. The film had a remarkable performance from Bill Murray but
really failed to be memorable as a whole. With Hidden Figures I think
there is an improvement in presenting a story and staying in a
successful storytelling structure. Its a pleasant film that does not do a
whole lot wrong.
7/10
