Beautifully shot with some stellar performances, the only thing that lets 'First Man' down is a few pacing issues

Rating: 7/10 (22 October 2018)

Silence is the first thing that sticks out at me when thinking about 'First Man'. The emotion silence conveys whether during the space scenes or the interactions on Earth, is felt every second. The performances from Gosling and Foy add to this, the sense of dread and the risks associated with the launching of Apollo 11 and it's predecessors is made clear. Although we know they are eventually successful, we still hold our breath in suspense throughout. Gosling's portrayal of Neil Armstrong as a man desperate to succeed despite his personal tragedies resonates, it gives a much deeper look into an aspect of his life that the general audience would have no idea about. It is however, the passage of time that lets this film down slightly. As the 8 or so year period is covered, there are times when certain scenes are much longer than they need to be, as a result the film seems to drag in places. Then at the other end of the spectrum, there are some events and relationships which are brushed over, I would have liked to have seen the family dynamic explored further, as well as the character of Buzz Aldrin. Overall though, 'First Man' boasts exceptional cinematography and packs an emotional punch, succeeding in shining a new light on the life of a hero.