A giant step for womankind
Sometimes a film is so historically impactful that it makes you hark back to your high school days and try to recount the time that you learned about the topic that serves as the premise of the film. “Hidden Figures” is one such film. Based on the real life story about three African American women–Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)–making history when they provide NASA with important mathematical data that leads to the launch of the first successful space mission. Outside of the space program, the story and the names of these game-changing women was virtually unknown, until now.
Plot: Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary are part of a small group of African American women who work as human computers in a basement at NASA, during the Civil Rights era in the 60s. The film follows the incidents leading up to John Glenn (Glen Powell) becoming the first American astronaut to make a complete orbit of Earth, and the calculations of Johnson, who helped him do so.
Engagement: The all-star cast, including Kevin Costner, was nothing short of Oscar-worthy. Who would ever think a movie about mathematicians and the space race could be so engaging? Especially surprising and refreshing, was big-screen newcomer Monáe. The singer successfully reinvented herself onscreen and delivered a performance that complimented the award-winning veteran actors, Costner and Spencer. In addition, the cast chemistry was solid and believable. The inspiring film not only managed to entertain and educate, but served as a giant step for womankind.
Style: The period costumes in the film are instrumental in telling the story based in the 1960s. Boatneck collars, circle skirts, and kitten heels are just a few of the fashion trends captured in the film.
Release: Friday, Jan. 6th
RADAR RATING
Pros
- Plot
- Cast
- Costumes
Cons
- None
