If someone asked you what comes to your mind when one talks about the early days of astronauts and space, you’d probably say Neil Armstrong. But what about the people who got them up there?
Margot Lee Shetterly’s novel-adapted film Hidden Figures will get you up to speed. The film is a significant historical story about genius women, oppression and mankind’s first encounter with space. In recent times, we’ve seen many directors take on such intense storylines with factual accuracy and simplify it for our ever decreasing attention spans. Hidden Figures does that for us and much more!
Looks like it’s true, behind every man is a woman rolling her eyes. Back in the 60’s, in an African-phobic and man’s world, three African-American girls stood up for their rights. During a time where segregation and sexism played defense against the normalcy of white supremacy, NASA’s very own science and math trio Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson broke out of socially practiced norms that were, shall we say, out of this world.
‘Unexpected’ and ‘surprising’ are two words that come to mind as you are taken on a rollercoaster, or rather a rocket ride of emotions. Diving into NASA’s space mission, the struggles of female and African oppression, a sprinkle of romance and powerfully driven moments, the film finds itself being a bit genre confused. While that could be one of its wins, we’ve seen many happy going, simplified films follow the same trend, making this also one of its drawbacks.
Truth be told, sometimes it’s just best to work with a winning formula.
Displaying a radiant depiction of American culture that brings to mind films like Hairspray and Dope, Hidden Figures takes you inside the walls of a developing NASA, its workaholic workspace and its inhabitants. Contrary to common beliefs, their space program was fairly developed prior to the historical moment that took Armstrong to the moon. (You would be surprised to know many don’t know that). During a time when America and Russia played a competition as to who could aim their rockets first, only one allowed their women to take the wheel and steer. Say what?
While figuring out how to get rockets into space might have been the film’s heroines’ full-time jobs, their after hours were quite lively too. We take a peep into their culturally rich backgrounds and humble homes, all of which are filled with more color than a rainbow. The three friends were not only challenged by their roles in a male dominated work space, but by motherhood and their individual personal obstacles. The negatives that came along with trying to be the first African women to ever amount up to anything in their given line of work was prevalent throughout the film.
An Oscar nomination was not this film’s final win, but its cast who were truly mesmerizing up until the finishing line. An effortless run through our history with the likes of Kevin Conroy, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Mahershala Ali and The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parson onscreen, made all of it quite heartwarming. Making a rare appearance was Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man actress Kirsten Dunst, who quite surprisingly, left quite an impression amongst the likes of the other more relevant stars.
Amongst the success of getting everyone on board to work together for the space launch program, was the depiction of how a small change in our perspectives can result in a greater change on the whole. Humanity’s shortcomings over here included ego and arrogance, but not when there was a greater threat or obstacle that needed to be faced together. Giving credit to these wonderful women behind the scenes of one of mankind’s greatest feats highlighted how times were beginning to change for the better back then.
Change is constant, and so is a woman’s place in the eyes of many, including filmmakers.
With role models coming up in every form, a large number of them positively influence the majority of us through films and pop culture.
And with growing additions to largely successful films like the upcoming Wonder Woman, Star Wars’ Rey and many more, Hidden Figures is another one, which chooses to celebrate a woman’s success in a society that aims at only diminishing their roles. Sending a worldwide message, it’s a touching one that surely reaches us on an emotional level, and will definitely take many girls a step closer to their dreams.
St Vincent director Theodore Melfi has brought this surprisingly low key true story up on the big screen for the more less aware crowd, including myself. Hidden Figures brings about true enjoyment, awareness and quick gags that leave you breathless.
Being truly worthy to be called a classic, it will inspire people of all ages to reach for the stars!
