Director: Damien Chazelle
Screenplay: Josh Singer, based on the book First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Ciaran Hinds, Christopher Abbott, Patrick Fugit, Lukas Haas,
Running Time: 138 minutes
Genre: Drama, historical, biography,
This film tells the story of Neil Armstrong (Gosling) and the first manned mission to the Moon. It opens in 1961 where Armstrong is a test pilot and culminates with the historical mission in July 1969. Along the way it deals with Armstrong's relationship with his wife, Janet (Foy), and the personal and professional sacrifices and trials that were made on the way to the Moon.
Everyone is familiar with the Apollo Moon landing in 1969, the first step on the Moon is one of the most iconic images of all time, and the line "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," is one of the best known quotes in the world. This film shows just how risky and dangerous it was. Basically the astronauts were sitting in a tiny tin can on top of a missile, all of which was pretty much handmade at the time. The film opens with Armstrong in the middle of a test flight, bouncing off the edge of the atmosphere, shot in fast, almost impressionistic images, from Armstrong's point of view wit constant rattling and roaring. It's in the aerial and spaceflight sequences where the film soars (no pun intended), exciting, visceral with a genuine sense of wonder. It captures the excitement of spaceflight and exploration, a time which is pretty much gone now, and it's probably as close as you will ever get to being in a space capsule. The film depicts the training, and the sometimes fatal missteps along the way to the mission. It also explores Armstrong's personal life. Ryan Gosling plays Armstrong as a taciturn, emotionally distant man, it's hinted that he is deeply depressed following the death of his daughter. As Janet Armstrong, Claire Foy carries the emotional heft of the film. Having already buried a daughter, and seeing many of her friends and neighbours lose their husbands to the space program, she is very well aware of the risks involved and frustrated that Neil is so casual about it. In one scene, she forces him to sit down and tell his kids that he may not come back, which he does as if he is at a board meeting.
This is a great film, and needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
