First Man (2018)

Rating: 7/10 (23 July 2019)

Directed by Damien Chazelle. Starring Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Ciarán Hinds, Jason Clarke, Corey Stoll, Shea Whigham, Christopher Abbott, Lukas Haas, Patrick Fugit, Olivia Hamilton, Gavin Warren. (PG-13)
Visually striking but curiously earthbound biopic/historical drama focusing on Neil Armstrong (Gosling) and NASA's efforts to put him on the moon during the 1960s. Film's brushstrokes are often painted in a detached, procedural fashion, aiming more for docudrama authenticity than stirring melodrama. While this pursuit seems appropriate given the enigmatic character of its hero, it misses out on opportunities to find the music and poetry in such a colossal endeavor, only occasionally finding its beating heart and expressive imagination. Nevertheless, the technical achievement on display cannot be overlooked (especially the sensational X-15 test pilot and lunar landing sequences) and the script and performances are solid across the board; Foy, as Armstrong's wife, Janet, stands out among the reliable cast. Could have been a nice companion piece to "The Right Stuff" (which focused on the Mercury program, while this one involved the Gemini and Apollo missions), but can't compete with the earlier masterpiece in scope, meaning, or entertainment value; still worth a look, though, especially to those interested in the space race.
74/100