Why he went to the moon....

Rating: 9/10 (21 October 2018)

Looking at the negative reviews posted here, it seems that most people don't understand that First Man isn't your typical blockbuster showcasing the glories of the space adventure but is instead a very poignant 'film d'auteur' focusing exclusively on Neil Armstrong's point of view (hence the close up and hand held camera views).
The film oozes with maturity from end to end and ultimately and reveals that the first man to walk on the moon didn't do it for patriotism, for his own ego, for fame or to have his place in history books - all of these might have been contributors, of course, but they are not on their own what drove his motivations. No, instead, it was a way for this shy and introvert engineer to deal with the insurmountable grief of his daughter's death. The scene where Armstrong is alone in front of the lunar crater and lets go of his daughter's bracelet is just heartbreaking.
In addition, the film shows us the human cost of such an endeavor, from the tragic death of close friends to a brittle relationship with his wife. Supported by brilliant visual and sound effects, this is one of the smartest film of to watch this year.