Review of Hidden Figures (2016) by Warwick B — 03 Apr 2017

Hidden Figures tells the remarkable story about the struggles of three black women Katherine G Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson who worked at NASA in the early 1960s. Johnson and her colleagues were vital to the success of NASA's first space mission, but, as African American women, their achievements have not been untold until now.

Hidden Figures takes this criminally overlooked chapter in black history and writes it large following this trio of incredible likeable female scientists, who were the brains behind launching the first American astronaut, John Glenn, into space. This inspiring tale of three black women who defied prejudice is carried by stunning performances from its three leading ladies Taraji P Henson, Janelle Monaé and Octavia Spencer.

It's rare that a biopic about an American triumph doesn't centre on the achievements of white men, but this engaging and entertaining feel good movie, where the visionary thinking of space travel contrasts with the backwards mentality of racial segregation, is a sure fire crowd pleaser. It's an amazing story that deserved to be told.