Review of Hidden Figures (2016) by Eric S — 07 Jul 2017

The power of Hidden Figures is in the story. More, it is in the storytelling. It is not fancy, nor does it push any boundaries. It simply lets the story speak for itself. And speak it does.

With strong performances across the board, HIdden Figures helps shed some light on a little known story of the Jim Crow era that helped not only to progress the rights of African American women, but changed the world in a big way at a time when the race to space dominated culture and politics. If I am honest, I feel ashamed to say I was not aware of the four women at the heart this film, which I suppose reflects the sentiment of the film's title. But this is why Hidden Figures was so successful with both audiences and critics. It opened my eyes and entertained me while doing it.

While all of the performances stand out in their own right, Taraji P. Henson was especially notable. The way she embodies a set of mannerisms foreign to her natural tendencies is a testament to the way she throws herself into her character. It is almost understated but incredibly effectual. She helps ground the scope of the story, which could have gotten lost in the grand picture of space and the promise of the new frontier, in the human element, which in actuality is where the most compelling parts of the story flow out of. As impressive as it is to consider the groundbreaking efforts that led to the first orbits of the earth (and these moments are intense), it is the subtlety of scenes such as having to run across Nasa headquarters just to use a "colours only" bathroom sign, or the intimate family portraits that show a husband and wife, children and parents trying to find their way in a segregated landscape that sticks with me in the end.