Hidden Figures
Hidden Figuresis the rare true story-based historical drama that succeeds at being as inspirational and feel-good as it aspires to be.
It ’s the former 1960s and the United States is in the estrus of a race with the Soviet Union to be the first to break novel basis in the final frontier : space . Mathematicians Katherine Coleman ( Taraji P. Henson ) , Dorothy Vaughn ( Octavia Spencer ) and Mary Jackson ( Janelle Monáe ) are all black woman working in the unintegrated West Area Computers division at the NASA Research Center in Langley when one twenty-four hour period , Katherine is unexpectedly enrol to serve as a ( human ) computer for the Space Task Group that is concentrating on getting a man into orbit around the Earth - with gruff , but focused and goal - oriented , manager Al Harrison ( Kevin Costner ) launch the charge .
Katherine , who has proven to be a mathematical prodigy since she was a tyke , skin to keep up with the intense demands place upon her , largely because of the racist treatment that she must trade with - something that also hold honest for both Dorothy and Mary , in their own campaign to work their manner up the run at NASA . However , as it becomes clearer and clearer that the Soviets are take out ahead in the space race , Harrison and the other boss at NASA are faced with the reality : either they will all get there together , as equal , or not at all .
Based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly and adapted for the screen door by co - writer Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi ( with the latter also directing),Hidden Figuresexplores a largely unknown view of NASA history that - in an example of art imitating life - has take longer than it should have to get its fair due , stick to the release of several movies and boob tube series about the 1960s Space Race . Nevertheless , that storey sure benefits from being state by potent talent on both side of the camera , with Melfi applying the same warm and humanist soupcon here that he add to his breakout comedy / dramatic event exertion , St. Vincent . As such , Hidden Figuresis the rare dead on target narration - based historical dramatic event that succeeds at being as inspirational and palpate - good as it draw a bead on to be .
Hidden fig ' three lead - Oscar - succeeder Octavia Spencer , Oscar - nominee Taraji P. Henson and accolade - winning player / histrion Janelle Monáe - further elevate the film with their several performances as a trio of every bit smart , but very unlike cleaning lady making their fashion in a time and spot that is openly segregate in more way than one . All three ofHidden Figure ’s stars deliver naturalistic and relatable functioning too , making their characters ' arc and how they answer to the challenge that they are presented with , all the more solid for it . The script by Schroeder and Melfi is also thoughtful in how its frames its protagonist ' experiences by juxtapose them with major events of its historic setting in the background , creating an efficacious thematic throughline about how systematic prejudice only impedes the world ’s progress on multiple fronts , social and scientific alike .
The diachronic setting ofHidden Figuresitself is bring to life through handsome visuals captured by Melfi and his cinematographer Mandy Walker ( Australia , Jane Got a Gun ) , that are by and large seamlessly blend in with archival footage from the decade , in compounding with some of the best ' 60 costume designs - from the garb shirts worn by the world of NASA to the centre - catching dress worn by the women - by Renee Ehrlich Kalfus this side ofMad Men . Further help to establish a strong sense of time and place inHidden Figuresis the film ’s use of medicine , ranging from classic pop tune to original music ( including the catchy call " Runnin ' " by Pharrell Williams ) that matches the pop dash and trend of the time period . This more general aesthetic of historic accuracy with a touching of modernism , is ruminative of howHidden Figuresas a whole paints liveliness in the sixties and quietly leaves it to motion-picture fan to trace parallels to present - day issue ( or not ) as they will .
likewise , Hidden Figuresportrays its white support characters not as two - dimensional antagonists that are prosperous to disassociate with ( for those watching the film ) , but as fully - developed individuals who have little reason to question or receipt their unintegrated way of life , unless they are confronted about it . Jim Parsons and Kirsten Dunst in turn cede miscellaneous performances here as the NASA Space Task Group ’s head locomotive engineer Paul Stafford and Dorothy ’s ranking Vivian Mitchell , severally ; both of them characters in positions of authority who quietly undergo personal journey of their own , over the track of the film . Meanwhile , Kevin Costner once again evidence to be a strong fit for an objective - driven , no - nonsense , leader character in the 1960s ( after his workplace inJFKandThirteen daytime ) with his bend as the NASA Space Task Group ’s director , Al Harrison .
The supporting cast forHidden Figuresalso includes a smattering of recognizable character player in less essential , but nonetheless relevant and enjoyable performances . While such doer as Glen Powell ( Everybody Wants Some ! ! ) and Aldis Hodge ( Straight Outta Compton ) are noteworthy for their appearances as the iconic ( and charismatic ) astronaut John Glenn and Mary Jackson ’s husband , Levi , the standout inHidden Figures ' larger supporting players is easy Mahershala Ali as military man Jim Johnson . The romantic subplot involving Jim and Katherine is moderately under - developed in the greater system of the picture , but thanks to Ali ’s charming performance and his easy - go screen chemistry with Henson , the relationship that organize between the two is convincing nonetheless .
Hidden Figuresdoesn’t wander far from the try - and - reliable Hollywood pattern for how to transform a dependable chronicle into an uplift filmgoing experience - but thanks to its strong execution ( acting and direction likewise ) , it succeeds at turning its veridical - domain subject topic into an evenly entrancing and entertaining story to watch unfold on the big screen . As such , Hidden Figuresprovides a welcome alternative to some of the more emotionally and thematically drab drama offerings of the ongoing pic award season , as well as a nice and well-timed reminder for everyone : we ’re all in this ( space ) race together .
TRAILER
Hidden Figuresis now playing in U.S. theater nationwide . It is 127 minute prospicient and is Rated PG for thematic elements and some words .
establish on the lives of Katherine Goble Johnson , Dorothy Vaughan , and Mary Jackson , Hidden Figures tells the untold stories of the three African - American mathematicians and their work at NASA during the Space Race of the sixties . Taraji P. Henson , Octavia Spencer , and Janelle Monáe mavin as Johnson , Vaughan , and Jackson respectively , with a further roll that includes Kevin Costner , Kirsten Dunst , Jim Parsons , and Mahershala Ali .
Based on the lives of Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, Hidden Figures tells the untold stories of the three African-American mathematicians and their work at NASA during the Space Race of the 1960s. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe star as Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson respectively, with a further cast that includes Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, and Mahershala Ali.
