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Hidden Figures
8.1

Hidden Figures (2016)

Dec 10, 2016 2h 7m Drama History

The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.

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Directed by Theodore Melfi

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Theodore Melfi
Producer
  • Theodore Melfi
  • Donna Gigliotti
  • Pharrell Williams
  • Peter Chernin
  • Jenno Topping

Reviews

Reno
8/10

**The other side story of the historic event!**

This film did not just represented the black people, but the women as well. Today we talk about discrimination against women, though this film is an example that it all had started way long ago, yet the struggle has not ended. Anyway, this is a biopic, a biopic of three women and their struggle not just being a black, but being women. When the nation was eager to send its first man to the space, there was some trouble within the team who are behind it to work together as one. Lots of inspiring events reveal how the history was made and the working culture was changed forever inside the NASA.

The film was nominated for the Oscars in the three slots, but did not win any. That's fine, because I would prefer those real women to be recognised over what this film had achieved. All the three actresses were good. Their roles were unique from one another. Really a wonder film about three real persons in one film. Something rare in films to highlight their achievements equally. The personal life, as well as their professional was well briefed.

The others like Kevin and Dunst in small part were also good. Directed by just a one film old filmmaker. He did good. The screenplay was adapted from the book of the same name. Deserved all the awards and praises it had received. After seeing how it had ended, a sequel could be possible. Mission Moon. I hope they would consider it! Seems a nice idea!

_8/10_

Sep 16, 2017

Gimly
5/10

Do not at all think that by my feelings I attempt to diminish the achievements of those who made _Hidden Figures_ nor the real women around which the story revolves, this simply just wasn't for me.

_Final rating:★★½ - Not quite for me, but I definitely get the appeal._

Aug 25, 2019

CinemaSerf
7/10

This is quite a compelling story of three ladies who played a crucial part in the NASA operation that ultimately put John Glen into space. All three were mathematicians drafted in to provide their skills but unlike so many of their colleagues, they were subject to prejudices surrounding their race and their gender. The women adopted the best solution to combat this bigotry, though - they decided there are more ways than one to skin a cat and so let their astonishing talents do their talking for them. Luckily, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) had a boss in Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) who was essentially a practical and politically motivated man who cared far less about segregation and much more about beating the Soviets into space. His attitude, that swiftly builds into a considerable degree of respect, enabled her to step up and demonstrate she was every bit as good, if not better, than those white men around her - all rather uniformly dressed in white shirts and ties. Across the corridor, the equally adept Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) was fighting her own battle for recognition as the supervisor of a crack team that was charged with installing, programming and validating the workings of a brand new IBM computer. Finally, the triumvirate was made up by Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) whose skills were going to be crucial if the heat shield on the module charged with getting the astronaut (Glen Powell) back to Earth safely was going to work properly. Director Theodore Melfi manages to delicately marry these three threads together keeping the story interesting and investing us not just in the struggles of these women but also in the excitement of the practical science unfolding before us. Henson and Spencer are convincingly understated with their performances and though Monáe is less prominent, the three characterisations still resonate well and informatively. I knew nothing of those people before I watched this - I'm glad I did.

Dec 31, 2023

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Hidden Figures examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Theodore Melfi brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2016, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Hidden Figures took approximately 32 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • With a budget of $25.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 127 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 177 minutes long.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
  • The screenplay went through 15 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.

Historical Context

  • In 2016, when this film is released:
  • Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
  • Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

While Hidden Figures shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Phantom Punch, which focuses more on action than character development, Hidden Figures offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.

While films like Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus and Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann explore similar territory, Hidden Figures stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: December 10, 2016
  • Runtime: 2h 7m
  • Budget: $25,000,000
  • Revenue: $235,957,472