Hidden Figures (2016)

“Hidden Figures” stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, and Jim Parsons.  Released on December 25, 2016, the film has three African-American women helping the United States compete in the Space Race.

The film is directed by Theodore Melfi, who also directed St. Vincent, and it is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly.  During its theatrical run, it received lots of praise from critics and audiences who had the chance to see it before it went wide on January 6, 2017.  It even earned two Golden Globe nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer and Best Original Score for Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, and Benjamin Wallfisch.  With word of mouth as great as this, it had to be something that’s worth seeing for me.  So, was this untold story worth telling?  In a way, yes.  Was it as great as critics say it was?  Not really, but it came close.

Pros:
Great performances from the cast.

The chemistry between Henson, Spencer, and Monae was a delight.

Smart screenplay.

Had a few feel-good moments that will tug at your heartstrings.

Cons:
Its simple storytelling can get in the way of its grounded themes at times.

The pacing can be a bit slow for younger kids who aren’t interested in history.

Final thoughts: While not as grounded or powerful as the other films that deal with similar themes, “Hidden Figures” made the right calculations to make this untold story heard.  Led by a marvelous performance from Henson, this film belongs in the list of feel-good biopics that people will enjoy for years to come.  As long as there are more movies like this, whether they’re biopics, comedies, or even action comedies, people will someday learn to appreciate others for who they are and what they have to offer.  I would recommend this film to those who are in need of something that makes them feel good, to those who are into history, and to those who like some of the actors on screen.

B+