Hidden Figures

 

Hidden Figures 2016

• Director: Theodore Melfi
• Based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly
• Cast: Taraji P Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell, Kimberly Quinn
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Taraji P Henson – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Octavia Spencer – The Shape of Water, Snowpiercer, Fruitvale Station, The Help, The Soloist, many TV series
• Kevin Costner – Molly’s Game, Man of Steel, Swing Vote, Rumour Has It, The Postman, A Perfect World, The Bodyguard, JFK, Robin Hood, Dances with Wolves, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, Silverado, Stacey’s Knights
• Kirsten Dunst – Melancholia, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Mona Lisa’s Smile, Levity, Spider-Man, Virgin Suicides, Little Women
• Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory
• Mahershala Ali – Alita Battle Angel, Hunger Games Mockingjay 1&2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Glenn Powel – The Guernsey Literature and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Dark Knight Rises, The Great Debaters
• Why? The subject. Octavia Spencer.
• Seen: 27 February 2021.

       In 1961 three young black women are employed by NASA in the ‘Coloured Computer Department’.  Katherine G Johnson (Henson) is a mathematical genius. Dorothy Vaughn (Spencer) is a programming genius. Mary Jackson (Moráe) is an engineering genius. Their genius goes unrecognised until the Soviets start pulling ahead in the space race and desperate measures need to be taken. The three women get a foot in the door of their respective areas, but those feet get pinched repeatedly, and hard.

       Racism, segregation and male chauvinism face them every day of their lives. Their friendship, families and the budding civil rights movement keep them carrying on.

       The family bits are too sugary and the whole film seems slicked up with white people learning of their own prejudices a little too smoothly but it’s a story that needs to be told. Again and again. The three women are well cast, it’s Costner’s best performance since Swing Vote and Parsons is fun as a space nerd Sheldon. Even Dunst does her role well.

       Oh yes. It’s a true story.

 4* of 5