Hidden Figures (2016)

Genres

Biography | Drama

Director

Theodore Melfi

Country

USA

Cast

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parson, Glen Powell, Mahershala Ali, Donna Biscoe, Rhoda Griffis, Maria Howell, Aldis Hodge, Paige Nicollette, Gary Weeks, Saniyya Quinn, Olek Krupa

Storyline

The story of three African-American women mathematicians, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), who all served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the space program.

Opinion

I am not a big fan of space, NASA and stuff like that but I love Octavia Spencer and the trailer was so promising they made me want to see this film so bad. I had to wait a lot, but I've finally seen it, and I see why it got a nomination for Best Picture. And should have won if we consider the actual winner. That said, "Hidden Figures" is a beautiful, heartwarming and inspiring film that gets better as it goes along. It will make you think, laugh and cry, and will make you want to re-watch it right away.

The story, as much as unappealing it may sound to someone like me who is not interested in the subject, is actually very engaging and will have your attention for the entire running time. It is also quite educative as it shown me a part of history I wasn't familiar with. But most important, by telling the story of three amazing, smart, talented women, it made me interested in learning more about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson.

Through the lives of those women, the film addresses many important social obstacles such as racism and sexism. I don't know whether it was historically accurate or not, but it was quite shocking to see such smart and educated people act like that. It also states that talent and hard work are what really sets us apart, and that the fight against racism and sexism isn't a lost cause.

What makes "Hidden Figures" great is the ability of director Theodore Melfi to keep the soft tones of a comedy from start to finish, downplaying some situations - such as those in which Katherine runs more than a mile to go to the bathroom -, but still providing some dramatic charge and delivering plenty of emotions.

Then, of course, the film wouldn't be the same without its cast. Taraji P. Henson gives an excellent, ironic and biting performance as Katherine Johson and Janelle Monae also gives a fantastic performance as Mary Jackson, but Octavia Spencer's sassy performance as Dorothy Vaughan is the one Oscar worthy.