The contributions of three African American women to the U.S. space program in the 1950s is the subject of Hidden Figures. The central protagonist of this biography is Katherine G. Johnson, the mathematician who calculated flight trajectories for Project Mercury when John Glenn made three orbits around the Earth in 1962. She worked in the West Area Computers division of Langley Research Center. Her efforts supported the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor agency to NASA. Assisting are her fellow mathematicians Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe). Hidden Figures is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. In actuality, this was adapted from a 55-page proposal which would explain why the movie contains a lot of things that were created for dramatic effect. (http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/hidden-figures/)
The institutionalized racism that Katherine and her colleagues had to face while working in the segregated environment is a significant part of Hidden Figures. The many indignities they suffered are in the details. The production offers a proven amalgamation of drama with light touches of comedy for a mass audience. The movie uses humor to gently push its agenda. We see a black woman in a colorful dress against a sea of conformity: lots of white men in white shirts and uniform ties. Thanks to the costume designer for color coding it for us. These are her oppressors, particularly in the fictional character of Paul Stafford as portrayed by Jim Parsons. He’s a hissable villain and someone designed for moviegoers to jeer. But white women can be just as racist too. Kirsten Dunst’s Vivian Mitchell, another fictional character, is a condescending supervisor that suppresses Dorothy’s chances for advancement. Al Harrison (Kevin Costner), director of the Space Task Group, is a bit more enlightened. He’s actually based on a real person, well three anyway. Incidentally, Costner is slowly becoming this generation’s Henry Fonda always seeming to be the right side of history in racial dramas (Black or White, McFarland, USA).
For example, the fact that black women had separate bathrooms from white women is shown. For a modern observer of the past, this must seem pretty bizarre. Why this was the case is never explained. “That’s just how things are” is the point of view. Instead, we’re given little montages set to Pharrell Williams’ song “Runnin” while she has to make her dashes to a bathroom seemingly on the other side of town and then sprint all the way back to her desk. When nature calls it might take someone 5-10 minutes, for her it was a brutal part of her day. This all comes to the fore when Kevin Costner as her oblivious white boss, questions her on her absences. She explains. Cut to a scene of him taking a crowbar to the “colored ladies room” sign. “Here at NASA, we all pee the same color,” He says. That he’s the one to right this wrong never actually happened, but the movie chooses to portray it this way. His quick transformation into the noble white savior is a bit exasperating, to say the least.
In other areas, the narrative portrays the contributions of these women as important because the Americans must better the Russians. Their satellite Sputnik is the first to orbit the earth in 1957. Curses, the Reds won again! The script practically shouts this sentiment while a somber room of people watches the event on a TV. Apparently, some people are worried that the Soviets can now spy on America. If you’re unclear as to how this is supposed to happen, don’t look to this movie for specifics. Just know that the space race is a competition where we must “beat” the Russians like an Olympic event. Topping other countries with our space program is just supposed to be understood as an inherent desire.
Hidden Figures follows the narrative formula of many sports movies. We get the injustice, the teasing, the dirty looks, the undervalued appreciation for their ability and then that come from behind moment where everyone is proven wrong. It’s all served in a pleasing, well-photographed family friendly creation. The overlooked advances from individuals forgotten by history can provide a cutting edge perspective into a historical event. As a piece of entertainment, Hidden Figures is entertaining enough. However, the sentimental uplift of this Hallmark greeting card of a movie doesn’t scratch beneath the surface to plumb the depths of their experience. I can imagine that these women faced egregious behavior that undermined their human dignity. One would think Langley Research Center would be a place where analysis and intellectual ability was focused on much more than skin color. Apparently not. The screenplay doesn’t examine harder. I wish it had delved deeper and examined why. This cursory study is content to present predictable tropes that are de rigueur for any tale of an underdog. These brave women deserve a powerful story, but Hidden Figures never expands beyond a shallow exploration to get to the heart of their struggle. The screenplay by Allison Schroeder and director Theodore Melfi is an inspirational saga of intellect triumphing over racism in a PG-rated tale. Hidden Figures is a feel-good diversion that will hopefully inspire people to study further.
12-19-16
16 Responses
Interesting review. I’m glad you liked it worthy of 3 stars. I saw more depth there than you did. None of the white people in this instance really thought of themselves as racists but there were lots of small subtle ways they were and the system was. So many of these movies beat you over the head with the evil redneck where this I can relate to more. I particularly thought the bathroom sequence between Octavia Spencer and Kirsten Dunst was very well written. We all believe ourselves to be prejudice free but are we really? I like that families can see this and talk about it. Films like this when done well can be kind of Capra-ish in their portrayal of good people facing challenges of life.
Interesting comment. Triumph of an individual over racist colleagues is not something I would have associated with Frank Capra. I suppose your interpretation that his movies are about the “portrayal of good people facing challenges of life” is why you feel that way.
I find the presentation that people are either good or bad to be an over-simplification. I personally prefer films that consider the idea that people may be a bit more nuanced than that. I don’t think this film was nuanced. It’s predictable and safe in a way that will appeal to the masses. But hey its heart is in the right place. ❤️️
I guess on this one I’m part of that masses 😀. LOL
We can agree on that. I guess to further clarify on Capra. Mr Smith Goes to Washington and Mr Deeds Goes to Town are both movies about good people who are put up against systems trying to wear them down. They are the triumph of the individual in a really feel good kind of way. It’s a Wonderful Life is a bit darker as he is going to kill himself. The good girls I guess could have been more nuanced but I thought the “bad guys” were nuanced because they didnt think of themselves as racists. They were just part of a system that worked a particular way. That’s why I loved that bathroom scene I keep referring too. Anyway it’s an interesting discussion but yes the hearts in the right place and I think we agree take kids to this and start a discussion
A nuanced character in this case means a person is shown possessing both good and bad qualities. What were the bad qualities of the 3 female leads? What were the good qualities of the (fictional) characters portrayed by Kirsten Dunst or Jim Parsons?
I’d say the good sides of the “bad” characters is they dont see themselves as bad. They are working hard and think they are being accepting when they arent unlike the evil redneck often shown in these films. They are all working to an exciting goal. It’s easier for me to relate to a character who is more subtle in that way.
The good characters I could be more nuanced I guess but that’s why I brought up the Capra comparison. It’s an old fashioned kind of storytelling I like. Most people dont have these dramatic bad sides to them but are trying to plug away leading good lives. They are all kind of workaholics so I suppose that could have been dove into but I didnt need it. Shrug
“an inspirational saga of intellect triumphing over racism in a PG-rated tale”. Hmm, I’m seeing this tonight (I think . . . either this or A Monster Calls). I’m thinking this sentiment might be a deal-breaker for me. This movie looks noble and well-intentioned but I hate how PG movies always blunt the edges to what should be cutting-edge narratives. That doesn’t even mean the movie has to show violence or demonstrate a certain lack of finesse in the dialogue, shall we say. It just needs to be confronting and not easy to watch. I”m sure some parts of Hidden Figures are going to be uncomfortable all he same. Nice look at this .
It’s very audience-pleasing….the fact that it beat Rogue One last week does not surprise me one bit. It’s a nice film even though you can predict every narrative beat well before it happens.
That Costner scene you pointed out was exactly what I was hoping the entire movie wouldn’t be, but thankfully that type of approach wasn’t too in-your-face for the entire runtime. An enjoyable story that portrayed racism, as you said, in the details. And that’s just as important as the “big events”.
One thing is for sure. Janelle Monáe is a star. I know she’s a singer, but she could have a bright future as an actress as well.
Costner really wants people to know he’s all about equal rights!
Agree completely. Good, almost Disney-like movie, but pretty surface level stuff. I do think Monae was more deserving of supporting actress nom than Spencer, she’s that good.
Yeah I haven’t heard as much praise for Janelle Monáe but between this and her part in Moonlight, she really impressed me this year. I expect big things.
This movie was harmless fun and inspirational. I kept predicting various lines and situations during the viewing. But I liked it. Amazing, amazing women. 3 1/2 stars
Big box office success. Among the Best Picture nominees, this and La La Land are the biggest hits.
I certainly agree that a lot of elements in Hidden Figures are formulaic and that in some ways it probably didn’t scratch the surface of egregious behavior that these women experienced, but I loved it anyway. I think it was an important story that deserved to be told with some great performances and music. I felt like I got to know enough about each character to root for them in their quest to get the respect and appreciation they deserved.
You’re not alone. It’s was a massive success. Big box office hit with 3 Oscar nominations to boot – a beloved film.