Hidden Figures

Dir: Theodore Melfi

2017

****

Theodore Melfi's adaptation of Margot Lee Shetterly's non-fiction novel works very well, not only because it is a largely faithful adaptation but because there is always something compelling about progression, it is one of the reasons is has been heralded as the feel good film of the year. The story centres around three women, all of whom are real people. Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were three brilliant mathematicians who worked as computers, before electrical computers that we are used to today. They were crunching numbers for NASA way before anyone had been launched into space and were pivotal players in getting the first American Astronauts into space during the 1960s Mercury 7 missions. Not only were the three mathematicians among the first women at NASA but they were also the first black employees to gain the same rights as whites during segregation. While everything that happens in the film is true, the time in which they happened is not. It's the timeless problem with most historical films, how to tell the real story without bending the facts too much. The truth is, while the film is set in 1961, segregated facilities had long been abolished at NASA, Mary Jackson was already an engineer and Dorothy Vaughan had been a supervisor since 1949. The 'white saviour' narrative is also present, not as obvious as similarly themed films, but it’s still there. However, familiarity doesn't breed contempt in this instance, what are you going to do, you have a strong message of progress, for blacks, for women and as a nation, indeed, the whole planet benefited. They say never let the facts get in the way of a good story, I disagree with that sentiment, until now. The truth is that segregation was a thing, racism still is a thing, as is sexism. What the three women achieved was incredibly important for humankind, with putting a man in space the least important aspect of that. It's shocking that most people, myself included, haven't heard about these remarkable ladies before? There is a scene in the film whereby John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth and one of the most highly regarded and famous of the astronauts, asks that Katherine Goble Johnson specifically check the trajectory calculations before he sets foot on board Friendship 7. I wasn't convinced, but after a bit of research I found out that this was in fact true. I think it says a lot about the overall story and how the important factors are there and the lesser important aspects are not. I guess NASA perhaps don't come out of it as well as they should, as they should be remembered as being one of the first organisations to abolish segregation. Again, the truth and the important parts still come through and that is what is most vital in a biopic such as this. Sure it is still Oscar bait, but why not, it's an amazing story and it has been told brilliantly. The direction is actually very different to what you'd expect for a civil-rights film and a space film, Melfi remembering that people need to know this is the 60s first and foremost. The leading ladies are all really good, Octavia Spencer receiving much of the praise but I think Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monáe are equally as strong. Kevin Costner is good in his supporting role and Kirsten Dunst deserves praise for playing her subtle but villainous role very well, it's not a part many would want to take I'm sure but it's just as important. Jim Parsons casting is a little lazy, he's fine but he would never have been cast if it weren't for his role in The Big Bang Theory and he is in danger of becoming type-cast. It is feel good and family friendly, it has to be, as this is a universal story that needs to be remembered.