Hidden Figures

Theatrical Release Poster

Based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, Hidden Figures is about three African American women who worked for NASA and contributed to space travels in the early 1960's. I had never heard about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan & Mary Jackson before this movie and I was excited to see that these women who a lot of people haven't heard about were being the focus of a major motion picture film. The three best friends worked for NASA at a time where racial segregation was still very common in the United States. NASA used these women as their human computers and paid less. Mary and Katherine are taken away for a temporary assignment while Dorothy who wants the position of supervisor stays in charge of the African American female computers. 

Still of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer & Janelle Monáe (Image via imdb.com)

Mary is eventually able to become an Engineer after taking classes in an all white school, Dorothy becomes the supervisor of the IBM department while Katherine is able to solve the most complex calculations which helped John Glenn orbit the earth. She went on to become part of the Analysis and Computation Division at NASA. 

Still ofTaraji P. Henson (Image via imdb.com)

This movie talked about the contributions of three women who so many people don't know about. The discrimination faced by African Americans especially women was well represented. One of the most intense scenes for me was when Katherine screamed at Mr. Harrison telling him how she had to run to another building to use the restroom because the one in the building was for only whites. He reacted by breaking the only whites sign in the restroom at NASA. The movie had an ensemble cast which included Oscar and Emmy nominee Taraji P.Henson, Emmy winner Jim Parsons, Golden Globe nominee Kirsten Dunst, Oscar winners Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer and Award winning recording artist Janelle Monáe who did amazing in one of her first major roles. I was a little thrown off when I was Glen Powell as John Glenn. His role in FOX's Scream Queens is totally different from this very serious role. 

Still of Octavia Spencer (Image via imdb.com)

Still of Taraji P. Henson & Kevin Costner (Image via imdb.com)

The story is all about perseverance and determination in a period where the color of your skin meant you didn't deserve to be with the big leagues. As one of the music producers in the film, Pharrell Williams was phenomenal but I must admit that some of the songs sounded too modern and not like something people listened to in the 1960's. I couldn't help but notice the cars in the parking lots at NASA remained in the same position throughout the movie. They would have changed the positions instead of thinking it would go unnoticed. It was very entertaining watching women of color in charge of their positions and having the answers to all the questions thrown at them. Hidden Figures was chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films in 2016. It has also been nominated for three Oscars and two Golden Globes. 

Image via madamnoire.com

Rating: 9/10

Genre Biographical Drama

Director Theodore Melfi

Based on Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Screenplay Allison Schroeder & Theodore Melfi 

Starring Taraji P.Henso, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons

Running Time 2hrs 7mins