"Here at NASA, we'll all be the same color."

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2017)

I wouldn't have thought this movie was released as late as January 6th, 2017, it seems like it came out longer ago than that. The reason it strikes me is because John Glenn passed away on December 8th, 2016, just about a month shy of the picture's opening. It would be a shame if he never got to see it, even in a rough draft form. Glenn's character comes across as an enlightened individual in an era still marred by racial segregation. The actor portraying Glenn, by the name of Glen Powell, did have a passing resemblance to the former astronaut and United States senator.
For someone who grew up in the era, the story takes you back to the beginning of the country's space program and the inherent rivalry between the U.S and Russia. Seeing it portrayed on screen made it seem more like a literal life or death situation, at least in terms of prestige, than what I seem to remember of those days. Although it did bother me personally that Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space and not one of our guys. But then we outdistanced those pesky Russkies with multiple Earth orbits and of course the grand prize, first man on the moon in the years to follow. So that dose of reality helped spark the initiative to go the extra mile.
What's probably an eye opener in the story for those of a more modern upbringing, is the character of Al Harrison (Kevin Costner), head of the NASA team to put the first man in space. Does anyone think Harrison was worried about offending anyone when he made his staff stay late to reach the team's goals? Whether it ever actually happened or not, I had to cheer that scene when he took a crowbar to the 'Colored Bathroom' sign. It seemed like he was the only character willing to question the rules when it came to black/white relations within the department, not only in regards to work space, but to attendance at meetings and giving proper credit to those who performed the work.
Regarding the principal players, I thought Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae all did a superb job portraying their characters. All were shown dealing with aspects of both their personal and professional lives, carrying themselves with dignity, even in trying situations. What one remembers of the civil rights struggle of the Sixties is often tempered by demonstrations and violence, but the women in the story exemplified how strength of character, patience and talent would eventually mean much more in terms of winning a nation's respect. It's a good lesson for all of us a half century later, for even if conditions have vastly improved for race relations, the element that exploits the race industry does the country a great disservice with misinformation and outright deception.