Hidden Figures (2016) - USA
Review by Andrew Chan
Achieving the impossible brings "Hidden Figures" to a standing ovations of celebrating historical achievements for black women overcoming the odds to succeed in NASA during the white dominated 60s. It's an inspiring tale and aided by some brilliant acting from the three leading ladies (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe). The film is filled with feel good moments, light hearted tone despite the situations these people are facing and essentially an underdogs story overachieving against all odds.
What director Theodore Melfi does enormously well is the way he slowly paced the film, allowing repetitions to play out, before launching at the audience with a crescendo of feelings. The single scene where Henson's outburst provide the greatest performance of her career. It is a powerful technique as Kevin Costner smashes the coloured toilet signs, the moment simply connects to the audience and that entirely due to the subtle and often visual build up.
All in all, Hidden Figures is a great achievement in terms of acting, writing and directing and the subject matter helps in lifting the film higher. We all have dreams and often we are taught to conform and practically give up and we become consumed by our circumstances. The three ladies did not crumble in face of adversity and instead did many considered as "first". Hidden Figures remind us of those moments and that we don't need to be heroes, simply strive in what we do best. It's simply inspiring.
I rated it 4.5/5
Out on 4K Ultra HD Blu Ray at https://neofilmshop.com/search?q=hidden+figures
