Hidden Figures

Rating: 7/10 (4 February 2017)

With this review, I would like to express two ideas which seem contradictory: 1) The story told by Hidden Figures is inspiring, interesting and very relevant for the current political climate of the United States; 2) The way in which Hidden Figures tells that story is too elementary and predictable, and it occasionally feels the opposite to its message. Narrative simplicity doesn't necessarily contradict the important themes of a film; the problem from Hidden Figures comes from the fact that it reduces the story to a series of clichés which dilute the true events in order to fit into a commercial formula. That's a useful strategy, because it makes the movie more accessible, and it extends the diffusion of its message (the Oscar nominations it received will also extend that diffusion). However, Hidden Figures runs the risk of becoming a didactic pamphlet which only seeks an easy and quick emotional reaction, instead of fully exploring the complexity of the events it portrays. Nevertheless, Hidden Figures managed to keep me entertained with the minimum necessary effort, connecting the key points of the story with enough eloquence to keep the audience's attention. Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe and Octavia Spencer bring excellent performances in the leading roles, and I would also like to mention the solid works from Kevin Costner, Aldis Hodge, Mahershala Ali, Jim Parsons and Kirsten Dunst in supporting characters. So, Hidden Figures was made with good intentions, and it deserves a moderate recommendation because of its performances, its message and for portraying a little known chapter of the space programme, acclaimed as one of the most important human triumphs... but only for a certain type of humans. Hidden Figures reveals the other side of the coin, and that excuses its bland structure and weak conviction to a certain point. I think that this story would have been more suitable for Taylor Hackford, Spike Lee or similar filmmakers with more passion than patience for political correction.