Inspiring movie

Rating: 9/10 (15 October 2017)

The '60s was a time when the U.S.A was in a race with Russia to be the first to the moon. It was also a time when the U.S.A was strife with change regarding human rights and the fight for equality for black people and women. The movie is set during the Seven Orbit Flight and looks at the story from the point of view of three brilliant, strong black women who worked at NASA. (True story, by the way!)
To anyone who thinks that this movie might be "heavy handed" by portraying the majority of the white characters as racist, would be wrong. It's not "heavy handed" when it's based on truth. In the background of such an uplifting story are reminders of segregated bathrooms, bus seating and schools, and police discrimination - which is unfortunately an issue to this day. Among these strong reminders of racial discrimination,there are also subtle reminders such as when Mrs. Mitchel's character uses Dorothy's given name while Dorothy must call her "Mrs. Mitchel".
Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) is a gifted math genius, mother of three, and widow who must cross colour and gender roles. She is promoted to the task force that does the math for the launch and re- entry for the space shuttle mission.
Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) works in the computing section of NASA as an "unofficial" supervisor. She learns that with the installment of the IBM computer she and her coworkers may be replaced, and endeavors to make sure that doesn't happen by educating herself and the computing staff on how to use the IBM. She was considered to be one of the most brilliant people at NASA at that time.
Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) also works in the computing department, with dreams of becoming an engineer at NASA, but must jump racial hurdles in order to move forward with that goal. She is by far the sassiest of the three ladies. Mary Jackson became NASA's and The U.S.A's first female African-American aeronautical engineer.
The take away message is, of course, that no matter your skin colour or gender we are all equal; we should be given equal opportunities and everyone deserves respect. The linked take away is that if people set aside their perceived prejudices they will achieve great things.
My favourite quote: "Three negro women are chasing a white police officer down the highway in Hampton, Virginia, 1961. Ladies, that there is a God-ordained miracle."
My second favourite quote: "You sir. You are the boss. You just have to act like one."