Hidden Figures - Review
Director: Theodore Melfi
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Mahershala Ali, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons
A wealth of films have been produced regarding the 1960's Space Race, but Hidden Figures well and trial puts the "race" into Space Race as it focuses on a group of black female NASA employees who made the at times unimaginable feat a reality.
Based on the non-fiction book of the same name, Hidden Figures tells the untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), three African-American women with revolutionary minds. Their social standing prevents them from progressing in their fields at NASA until the race to send the first man into orbit heats up and they are called to action, crossing lines of gender and race in the process.
In a climate where the United States is plagued by flagrant acts of racism and misogynistic overtones, Hidden Figures is a timely picture that highlights the alarming epidemics whilst simultaneously spitting in the face of discrimination. But don't be perturbed; the film is not made with anger or aggression. It's upbeat and celebratory of the trio's accomplishments despite mounting adversity. As a result, the depiction of race and gender relations is hardly the most nuanced commentary you'll ever see, but its preppy temperament and an infused toe-tapping Pharrell Williams supplied soundtrack to boot has, and will continue to, attract the masses. It's a smart move on Melfi's part - these extraordinary women's stories deserve to be received by the biggest audience possible.
Such inspiring women are deserving of portrayals that equal their brilliance and seeing as the film recently received the SAG (Screen Actor Guild) Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast, it's safe to say that these real life inspirations are justly portrayed. Rich with performances that contribute to an impressive collective effort, the standouts are emphatically the three leads. Janelle Monae has seamlessly made the transition from music to film with her breakout roles as Mary Jackson in Hidden Figures and Theresa in the awards decorated Moonlight, and her performance in the former is buoyantly irresistible. Refusing to accept her marginalised state, Jackson pursues her goal of becoming an engineer at NASA with a vulnerable resilience that can be recognised by all. Although Monae's co-star Octavia Spencer was nominated throughout the majority of awards season for her supporting role, it can be argued that Monae warranted a nomination or two for her engaging work. Meanwhile, Taraji P. Henson sheds her Cookie from Empire persona to deliver a charmingly stirring performance as Katherine Johnson, a mild-mannered genius whose immense brain power helped America send the first man into orbit. The character at times ran the risk of being one-note until a dramatic moment where Katherine allows her minimised voice to be heard amongst her insensitive co-workers - the release is glorious.
Johnson is given the predominant A-storyline that monopolises the majority of the film, and her mental prowess is explored in depth. Whilst we do catch glimpses of Vaughn and Jackson's capabilities, their achievements are not reviewed to the same extent until the film's conclusion which reveals astounding and goosebump inducing facts about their contributions and moves to breaking down barriers for women of colour in the field of academia. A picture could be made about each individual woman's triumphs, but the rapport between the three leads is the heart of Hidden Figures.
Depending on your disposition, Hidden Figures will either appease or disappoint; if you like your facts hard and cold, then perhaps the source material will greater satisfy your needs, but if you embrace entertainment glazed in helpful dashing of sugary sweetness, Hidden Figures will go down a treat.
EB
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Mahershala Ali, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons
A wealth of films have been produced regarding the 1960's Space Race, but Hidden Figures well and trial puts the "race" into Space Race as it focuses on a group of black female NASA employees who made the at times unimaginable feat a reality.Based on the non-fiction book of the same name, Hidden Figures tells the untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), three African-American women with revolutionary minds. Their social standing prevents them from progressing in their fields at NASA until the race to send the first man into orbit heats up and they are called to action, crossing lines of gender and race in the process.
In a climate where the United States is plagued by flagrant acts of racism and misogynistic overtones, Hidden Figures is a timely picture that highlights the alarming epidemics whilst simultaneously spitting in the face of discrimination. But don't be perturbed; the film is not made with anger or aggression. It's upbeat and celebratory of the trio's accomplishments despite mounting adversity. As a result, the depiction of race and gender relations is hardly the most nuanced commentary you'll ever see, but its preppy temperament and an infused toe-tapping Pharrell Williams supplied soundtrack to boot has, and will continue to, attract the masses. It's a smart move on Melfi's part - these extraordinary women's stories deserve to be received by the biggest audience possible.
Such inspiring women are deserving of portrayals that equal their brilliance and seeing as the film recently received the SAG (Screen Actor Guild) Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast, it's safe to say that these real life inspirations are justly portrayed. Rich with performances that contribute to an impressive collective effort, the standouts are emphatically the three leads. Janelle Monae has seamlessly made the transition from music to film with her breakout roles as Mary Jackson in Hidden Figures and Theresa in the awards decorated Moonlight, and her performance in the former is buoyantly irresistible. Refusing to accept her marginalised state, Jackson pursues her goal of becoming an engineer at NASA with a vulnerable resilience that can be recognised by all. Although Monae's co-star Octavia Spencer was nominated throughout the majority of awards season for her supporting role, it can be argued that Monae warranted a nomination or two for her engaging work. Meanwhile, Taraji P. Henson sheds her Cookie from Empire persona to deliver a charmingly stirring performance as Katherine Johnson, a mild-mannered genius whose immense brain power helped America send the first man into orbit. The character at times ran the risk of being one-note until a dramatic moment where Katherine allows her minimised voice to be heard amongst her insensitive co-workers - the release is glorious.
Johnson is given the predominant A-storyline that monopolises the majority of the film, and her mental prowess is explored in depth. Whilst we do catch glimpses of Vaughn and Jackson's capabilities, their achievements are not reviewed to the same extent until the film's conclusion which reveals astounding and goosebump inducing facts about their contributions and moves to breaking down barriers for women of colour in the field of academia. A picture could be made about each individual woman's triumphs, but the rapport between the three leads is the heart of Hidden Figures.
Depending on your disposition, Hidden Figures will either appease or disappoint; if you like your facts hard and cold, then perhaps the source material will greater satisfy your needs, but if you embrace entertainment glazed in helpful dashing of sugary sweetness, Hidden Figures will go down a treat.
EB
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