"A personal challenge"

Rating: 8/10 (8 April 2020)

Biopic on the life of Neil Armstrong in the sixties, starting in 1961 on a test flight out of the atmosphere, until reaching the moon in 1969.
After his 2 successful films "Whiplash" 2014 and "La La Land" 2016, a more mature Damien Chazelle presents "First Man" about the life of a man with clear goals and his full personal commitment to achieve them.
A detailed vision that revolves around the intimacy of his family life and his friendships and that, at the same time, contrasts with his iron discipline and total dedication to his work. Within that antagonistic environment, the director communicates the anguishes, fears, disagreements and fatalities that were present throughout this period of his life.
And so Chazelle captures, on the one hand, a silent, self-absorbed and tormented Neil, 100 % dedicated to his own spatial challenge, to help him overcome the tragedy that overwhelms him and culminates in getting rid of Karen's bracelet on the moon. On the other hand, Jane his wife, who comments that Neil "seemed very stable to her, that she aspired to live an ordinary life with Neil", she represents in this story, the character "down to earth" who enables and generates coexistence and more importantly: it means family stability.
"First Man" 4th. and most recent feature film by Demian Chazelle, is a game of mixed positions and a mixture of ironies between political actors, the scientific community, the media, society and primarily the family.
Convincing Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy performances with a climactic scene demanding Neil talk to his children about the risks of the mission.
Cast also includes: Jason Clarke, Kile Chandler, Corey Stoll.
Shocking music by Justin Hurwitz