I tagged along with a friend to watch this movie since I had nothing else to do on a Friday night. I knew it was about racial discrimination and sexism, but the sheer amount of contempt the protagonists face, within the four walls of NASA which houses some of the smartest minds of the US of America, did come as a rude shock.
The women’s hardships in terms of job security nicely set the context for the movie. Even though the movie confines itself mostly to NASA, the few glimpses of the outside world — with its race-segregated buses, libraries, and colleges — make it clear that it wasn’t any better.
The three protagonists with their unique storylines are riveting. I could not pick a favorite from among the three. The supervisor whose adaptability to technology is enviable to even today’s generation. The engineer who becomes the first woman to attend an all-white university. The maths genius who helps achieve the near-impossible task of putting a man in earth’s orbit and bringing him back alive. Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, and Taraji P. Henson shine as they balance their vulnerability with their great fighting spirit.
Coming to the antagonists, the lack of empathy from characters played by Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons is appalling. The only consolation is Kevin Costner’s role as the boss man who stands up to the discrimination when he sees talent that he needs.
Glen Powell shines as the astronaut with an astounding personality. And the running theme of Ms. Henson running to the bathroom so that she could use the colored bathrooms is also well executed with its own satisfying ending.
All in all, a really good watch since it opens up a brand new world of discrimination in highly regarded institutions like NASA.
Rating: 4/5