rated PG
released 1-6-2017, 127 minutes, Columbia Pictures
directed: Theodore Melfi
written: Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi, (based on a book by Margot Lee Shetterly)
starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons
Hidden figures is a phenomenal story and solid well made film. It amazes me that it was 2016 before the story got told. These women were a crucial part of the early NASA program, and their story told against the backdrop of the social norms of 1964 is something every person who appreciates this country should see. The people who came together to put a man in space created business systems, electronics, educational systems and standards that are reflected today in to many ways to count. While everyone in the film does an outstanding job portraying real people in that moment in time, the the three lead actresses should stand tall durning awards season. They were inspirational, educational, endearing and entertaining all at the same time, making you feel like you knew these women, and in a very small way felt what they felt durning that time. Finally when John Glenn launched every viewer feels the pride of accomplishment and of being an American all over again. In this day when we talk about building walls across our southland, it does us good to remember that we once built rockets to the moon, and that we can do that again and more if we choose to.