Hidden Figures (2016)
127mins; PG
Director: Theodore Melfi.
Rating: 5/5 for an excellent film genius a classic movie
Synopsis
1920's America: Little Katherine (Taraji P. Henson) is a child mathematical genius whose world is inhabited by numbers.
But, being black and living in the segregated south, her chances of using her brains in a career are limited.
Despite this, her parents battle to get her the education they think suits her.
As a grown up, she works alongside a number of other talented black women at NASA during the early days of the space programme. But the space administration is a microcosm of the prejudiced world outside. Along with her colleagues computer-minded Dorothy (Octavia Spencer) and putative engineer Mary (Janelle Monae) they push the boundaries to see that their talents are recognised and help America in its battle with the USSR to win the space race.
Review, by Jason Day
Sneaking in just before BAFTA/Oscar fortnight later this month is this criminally under nominated drama that shines a light into hitherto unreported corners of history to educate and delight us about the sterling work of black female professionals of the past.
Professional is the right word as director Melfi's film balances these women's work achievements and mental skills with the decidedly unprofessional and negligent nature of segregation. In key scenes, Melfi brilliantly and succinctly shows how this abhorrent social construct was threatening not only national pride and progress but also the lives of early cosmonauts.
I challenge audiences to not have an inner 'fist-bump' feeling as Kevin Costner, as a workaholic space programmer, destroys the 'White Toilet' signs that are standing in the way of his department's success and African American advancement in general.
Henson, Spencer and the simply stunning Monae (also in Moonlight, out in cinemas too) flesh out their characters with wit, humour and plenty of sass and style. It would be negligent of me to give this engrossing drama anything less than 5 stars.
For the full review & more pics https://cinesocialuk.com/2017/02/09/hidden-figures-2016-55-stars-for-this-engrossing-drama/
Cast & credits
Producers: Peter Chernin, Donna Gigliotti, Theodore Melfi, Jenno Topping, Pharrell Williams.
Writers: Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi.
Camera: Mandy Walker,
Music: Benjamin Wallfisch, Pharrell Williams, Hans Zimmer.
Sets: Wynn Thomas.
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell, Kimberly Quinn, Olek Krupa.
Pic courtesy 20th Century Fox
