Spotlight shines on inspiring trio
In the running for Best Picture at this Sunday’s glittering Oscars ceremony, Hidden Figures is the true story of a trio of African- American female mathematicians who played a crucial role at NASA.
Katherine G Johnson ( Taraji P Henson), Dorothy Vaughan ( Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson ( Janelle Monáe) fought racist viewpoints and a lack of faith in their abilities to help shape the crucial early years of the US space programme.
Based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book, this inspiring tale finally gives these remarkable women their well- earned due on the big screen.
St Vincent director Theodore Melfi’s sophomore flick sees the New Yorker also pen the screenplay – along with Allison Schroeder, making her scripting feature film debut – and it’s a faithfully upbeat adaptation of Shetterly’s work.
While we’re far from the visceral likes of 12 Years A Slave, Melfi effectively portrays the racial tensions of the era; our leading ladies are forced to drink from separate coffee pots and walk miles to “coloured” bathrooms as segregation rears its ugly head, and colleagues think Johnson is a cleaner when she walks in to join them.
As a result, there are plenty of fist- pumping moments as the lead trio fight for their beliefs and to develop their careers in a predominantly white male industry.
Melfi and Schroeder also pen a good few comedic escapades to lighten the tension; Jackson’s shoe getting caught in a grate during a space capsule test and Johnson’s initial frantic toilet dash among them.
The director doesn’t do anything spectacular with his camera – instead letting the facts and his cast tell the true tale – but makes use of archive news and NASA footage when showing the intense competition – and widespread public attention – of America’s space race with the Russians.
He’s reliant, then, on his stars in front of the camera delivering the goods – and most of them step up to the plate. Henson, Spencer and Monáe share a lovely repartee and bounce off each other well as determined and driven friends breaking down barriers.
All three impress, but it’s Henson who stands out the most, not least with her emotional speech about her treatment to her NASA colleagues – the film’s powerhouse, standout moment.
Kevin Costner’s Space Task Group director is stern but passionate with a warm heart beneath his harsh exterior.
But it’s weird seeing Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons play it serious and Kirsten Dunst looks exhausted.
Undoubtedly uplifting, Hidden Figures will bring a smile to your face – but is lacking in dramatic heft.
Best Picture winner? Even in a less competitive field than this year’s contenders, I doubt it would take the golden statuette home.