Read Mixed User Reviews for Hidden Figures

6

AndrewLambertJan 23, 2017

Hidden Figures is a story that deserves to be told, and it is told perfectly well by a decent cast, although there´s nothing in this formulatic biopic to lift it above average status and make it truly stand out.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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4

nononomoreFeb 3, 2017

Does this deserve a Best Picture nomination, Best Supporting Actress nomination? No. Did it get one by affirmative action? Undoubtedly yes. Yet it is a good true story and well made and is the same kind of popular entertainment that has aDoes this deserve a Best Picture nomination, Best Supporting Actress nomination? No. Did it get one by affirmative action? Undoubtedly yes. Yet it is a good true story and well made and is the same kind of popular entertainment that has a good message but was not a huge sensational blockbuster (those often get overlooked by the sheep at The Academy) like such past hit nominees that didn't deserve it "The Help", "Seabiscuit", "The Cider House Rules", "Awakenings", "Dead Poets Society" etc.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

moviemitch96Jan 7, 2017

First thing's first, it's an uplifting and inspiring story, but nonetheless, it's also a very formulaic, by-the-numbers crowd pleaser as well. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae all give fine performances as the titularFirst thing's first, it's an uplifting and inspiring story, but nonetheless, it's also a very formulaic, by-the-numbers crowd pleaser as well. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae all give fine performances as the titular characters, as do Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Mahershala Ali, Jim Parsons, etc in supporting roles, but they simply can't help the film feel like nothing more than a predictable narrative and formula we've seen too many times before. I also honestly found the overall film, the score/music choice in particular very corny. Overall, it's definitely a feel-good film with an inspiring true story with some dedicated performances from great actors and actresses, but don't go in expecting anything extraordinary in terms of the inspiring true story subgenre.… Expand

8 of 10 users found this helpful82

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6

AxeTJan 27, 2017

Does this deserve a Best Picture nomination? No. Did it get one by affirmative action? Undoubtedly yes. Yet it is a good true story and well made and is the same kind of popular entertainment that has a good message but was not a hugeDoes this deserve a Best Picture nomination? No. Did it get one by affirmative action? Undoubtedly yes. Yet it is a good true story and well made and is the same kind of popular entertainment that has a good message but was not a huge sensational blockbuster (those often get overlooked by the sheep at The Academy) like such past hit nominees that didn't deserve it "The Help", "Seabiscuit", "The Cider House Rules", "Awakenings", "Dead Poets Society" etc. The Academy goes for either high brow pretension or sugar coated schmaltz with a good moral message. And yes it does go for undeniably great benchmark films too. This picture falls squarely into the second category. All the players are good. Costner seems perfect for his part. It's a nice movie about race in America during the sixties and the space race that was of the same period. It blends the two subjects perfectly.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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6

tropicAcesJan 6, 2017

It's innocent by-the-numbers stuff with charming performances from a stellar cast. If that's all you go in wanting, then you'll get everything you want. Anyone who wants something risky or new best look elsewhere.

8 of 11 users found this helpful83

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5

RetrodoxMar 28, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Hidden Figures shines light on an important story that needed to be document centuries ago (apparently).I have to say this film is wildly overrated and is only being nominated for the facts that it has Black women as the main characters and while thats "groundbreaking" and is a positive message that alone doesn't decide the grade of the film Hidden Figures like most race specific movies it tended to play on that.For the most part when I tried to keep awake the story was portrayed masterfully but the acting seemed shotty and typical for their roles some of scenes had pacing issues but in all the movie is completed well its just indistinguishable between historic movies.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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6

SpangleJan 10, 2017

Lord, let us give thanks for the miracle you have given us in your infinite wisdom, generosity, and mercy. Lord, thank you for blessing the world with Janelle Monae and her wide range of talents. For convincing her to act and pursue a careerLord, let us give thanks for the miracle you have given us in your infinite wisdom, generosity, and mercy. Lord, thank you for blessing the world with Janelle Monae and her wide range of talents. For convincing her to act and pursue a career in Hollywood, we are unworthy of your bounty Lord, for we are but simple sinners, doomed to be imperfect. Yet, you have graced us with the sole being of perfection among us and for that, we are eternally grateful. Amen.

Aside from Monae though, Hidden Figures is a pretty simple story. Telling the real life story of the black women who helped to put a man in orbit and land on the moon, it is an inspirational feel good story that is by-the-numbers. Shoving the story of these women into the feel good biopic cliches, Hidden Figures loses some of its impact as a result. Fortunately, feel good movies are always going to leave you with a goofy smile on your face after watching it and Hidden Figures fits the bill there. That said, do not expect it to be different from any other inspirational biopic you have ever seen.

Blending in some light comedy to brighten the racial tensions of the story, the film actually does a solid job showing the racism the girls face working for NASA. The film really defines the racism in looks with the girls being stared down upon entering any room. Co-workers assume they cannot handle the work, only to be shown that they can. Yet, first impressions often define treatment and the women of Hidden Figures are never treated perfectly by co-workers. That said, as a PG-rated move, there are n-bombs here, which leaves the film to resort to subtle racism. Honestly, this works better for a film of this type as, by 1961, the tides were turning enough to force people to not be so overt and brash with their racism in the workplace. Hidden Figures really captures this with things still labeled as being for "coloreds" or the girls being excluded even when they should be filled in on the information. The film takes the same approach to sexism with people expressing obvious sexist thoughts that they are taken aback to learn are sexist. Towards the end of the film, Vivian Mitchell (Kirsten Dunst) tells Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) that she is not racist to which Dorothy tells her that she believes she thinks that is true about her, highlighting the subtly of the film with racism and sexist thoughts. The film clearly tries to bring them to the surface and does, but the racist and sexist actions of characters in the film are often done simply because it was the way things were and colored people or women doing these things was completely unprecedented.

However, while the film largely handles the racism elements over it, it cannot help but burst into bombastic monologues about the ills of racism and the importance of overcoming it. These monologues are largely done by Katharine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) and Al Harrison (Kevin Costner). The director of the Space Task Group, Harrison lets the racism occur until Katharine informs him about it, at which point he puts an end to it. Clearly seen as a white savior of sorts for Katharine in particular, Harrison repeatedly makes large displays of inclusion, yet still excludes Katharine and kicks her out at the request of his superiors, in spite of her talents. He makes the most attempts of anybody to include her, but clearly does so begrudgingly. This does not stop the film, however, from using his character as a white savior to lend a helping hand to the disenfranchised among us. Returning to the original purpose of this paragraph, the film may do a good job at crafting the air of racism and sexism around of every turn. However, it lacks the subtly in its dialogue given to its black characters to really pull it off. As a result, the film plays out with Katharine just telling people off left and right. While she is correct and free to express her thoughts, it feels to in your face and overt. Maybe she was like, I do not know, but as a film, there are ways to show her fight back and prove them wrong without having to jump up in their face to do so.

Of course, these emotional monologues only further serve to make the film feel conventional. What good is a feel good and inspirational film without moving speeches by the oppressed? Regardless of whether the real women were like this, the characters in the film are pigeon holed into a palatable package that will not offend white people like slave dramas often do. Instead, these stock characters allow white audiences to largely look past their race and have a good time anyways, even if all the white characters are portrayed as the evildoers they potentially were to some degree. That said, the rise, the breakthrough, the challenge at the end, the fall, and then the final ascension to praise, are all tried and true inspirational feel good biopic cliches. Director Theodore Melfi ensures that this film hits each beat on the nose.… Expand

4 of 10 users found this helpful46

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4

johnsonjohnsonJan 17, 2017

有時則是指在伦敦西区上演的戏剧。光業的役所浩二勝俣博山约百老汇剧院經常共同被看作光業的役所浩二勝俣博山是英语世界中最高水平的商业剧院代表。观赏伦敦西区的演出已经成为觀光業光業的役所浩二勝俣博山的役所浩二勝俣博山崎健藺生小林高水平的商业剧院代表。观赏伦敦西区光光業的役所浩二勝俣博山業的役所浩二勝俣博山。有時則是指在伦敦西区上演的戏剧。光業的役所浩二勝俣博山约百老汇剧院經常共同被看作光業的役所浩二勝俣博山是英语世界中最高水平的商业剧院代表。观赏伦敦西区的演出已经成为觀光業光業的役所浩二勝俣博山的役所浩二勝俣博山崎健藺生小林高水平的商业剧院代表。观赏伦敦西区光光業的役所浩二勝俣博山業的役所浩二勝俣博山。

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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6

DirigiblePulpFeb 25, 2017

A well-meaning crowd-pleaser, with nice performances and a truly exceptional true story running things, that never chooses to rise above its safely formulaic Hollywood trappings.

I found this movie's depictions of such clearly bigoted whiteA well-meaning crowd-pleaser, with nice performances and a truly exceptional true story running things, that never chooses to rise above its safely formulaic Hollywood trappings.

I found this movie's depictions of such clearly bigoted white people and their Civil Rights era forms of racism (colored bathrooms and coffee pots) that never really digs into the more insidious nature of institutional racism, to be problematic. This overtly racist world feels so far removed that it almost makes it seem like racism has been solved, that it's no longer an issue.

All you have to do is be exceptional, a once in a lifetime genius, and racism won't be able to stand in your way. It suggests that black people do have to work harder and be superior in an obvious way in order to overcome, and this is never addressed in the movie. Don't be common, no one can help you then.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

ElbobboNov 22, 2017

Starring: Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Taraji P. Henson
Genre: Drama Director: Theodore Melfi Run time: 127 mins Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures, based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, tells the story of Katherine Johnson’s lifeStarring: Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Taraji P. Henson
Genre: Drama Director: Theodore Melfi Run time: 127 mins Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures, based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, tells the story of Katherine Johnson’s life through some of the worst times in 1960s segregated America. It was during this time of social unrest, social inequality for the black community, and for women, that Johnson helped break through the glass ceiling into the stratosphere.

Hidden Figures follows the interwoven accounts of Dorothy Vaughan, played by Octavia Spencer, Mary Jackson, played by Janelle Monáe, and Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P. Henson – three African-American women who participated in some of NASA's greatest successes. Johnson’s work for NASA was pivotal in helping to win the space race to get man to the moon, after the US lost the race with the Soviets to get the first rocket to space and then lost again in getting the first man up there.

Johnson was selected to move integration forward at the graduate programme at the then all-white West Virginia University. Johnson taught mathematics, French, and music in public schools in Virginia, until 1952, when a family member told her about a job opening at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics at the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory.

Johnson co-authored the 1960 report: Determination of Azimuth Angle at Burnout for Placing a Satellite Over a Selected Earth Position, a report containing equations describing the trajectories for placing manned mercury capsules into low-earth orbit and returning it safely to the planet's surface. This made Johnson the first credited female author in the flight division.

Hidden Figures picks up story when Johnson was known as one of the ‘computers who wear skirts’, a division within N.A.S.A that calculate complicated sums, during a period of time before advanced computers. Among these problem solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African-American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation. This didactic tale couldn’t come at a more important time, with divisive political movements threatening to build walls and close borders. Hidden Figures has an important message quoted from Kevin Costner’s character, Al Harrison: “A rising tide lifts all boats.” Costner’s character is always looking for the bigger picture: the mathematical breakthrough to give America the edge, an equation that didn’t exist yet. The answer, however, came from a formula that was always in front of them, they just couldn’t see its value. Ends...… Expand

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6

Miles_SDec 3, 2017

The movie tells an effective story, but is uninteresting visually and has quite a few weak performances, along with some subpar dialogue. The film's cast gives quite weak performances, particularly Henson, who the movie seems to hold up as aThe movie tells an effective story, but is uninteresting visually and has quite a few weak performances, along with some subpar dialogue. The film's cast gives quite weak performances, particularly Henson, who the movie seems to hold up as a much better actor than she is in reality, bar Costner and Spencer, who both give solid performances. The movie could have been great with an improved script and a revamped cast. Though for all it's flaws the movie works decently as a feel good movie.… Expand

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6

NedRyerson1Feb 12, 2017

Hidden Figures, as the title suggest; reveals a topic unknown for the audience that enriches the understanding towards to fight of women and colored people for their rights. The story begins with a promise, our gifted protagonist shiningHidden Figures, as the title suggest; reveals a topic unknown for the audience that enriches the understanding towards to fight of women and colored people for their rights. The story begins with a promise, our gifted protagonist shining during her childhood; that invites the viewer to believe in all the wonders embodied in these three women, which are going to be exposed. Since then, the level of edification is big enough in order to identify the spectator with the characters and their situations: racial segregation, discrimination, undervaluation, labor exploitation and more. An interesting thing is the mutualism that develops around the three women, how each other complements the next one, how they support themselves and solve their flaws. None of them could have done it without the other two. The problem with the movie is that, there is nothing more than that; is just a story, a beautiful one, but there is no much to think about it. Octavia Spencer is charming as always, but Taraji P. Henson is astonishing, the acting surprise of the film.… Expand

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6

homer4presidentMay 16, 2017

Sadly yet another best picture nominee that was great in concept, historical significance and costuming... But not that riveting of a picture. There were some great moments but I wish they would have gone more deeply into the characters ofSadly yet another best picture nominee that was great in concept, historical significance and costuming... But not that riveting of a picture. There were some great moments but I wish they would have gone more deeply into the characters of these amazing women.… Expand

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6

amheretojudgeOct 16, 2018

these are big shoes to be filled..

Hidden Figures Melfi's adaptation of Shetterly's book fails to grasp the stakes and magnitude of the content that the entire feature orbits around. And it can easily be filtered out from all the runningthese are big shoes to be filled..

Hidden Figures

Melfi's adaptation of Shetterly's book fails to grasp the stakes and magnitude of the content that the entire feature orbits around. And it can easily be filtered out from all the running sequences it executes since it could have been a bit more intense than it actually pretends to be. The narration is not only adaptive and gripping but contains layered dialogues that strikes well on your mind that highlights the entire sequence through it. If Henson; the protagonist, fails to live up to the potential of the role offered to her and mind that these are big shoes to be filled, she is blessed with an incredible supporting cast that helps elevate the momentum in each frame. No matter how stereotypical Costner's character gets, he still delivers thoroughly and on the other hand Spencer too leaves a long lasting impression through her performance. Although, Monae, Dunst and Parsons are surprisingly not convincing enough to blend in aptly into these numbers along with a bit amateur editing and lazy background score. The theme of the tale is genuinely fascinating as the three lead characters resonates their persona with such impactful notions in the storytelling that you cannot not be moved by it. They swoop in as their savior with such subtilty that you are practically wolfish rooting for more and more. And with the conflicts like such and the rivalries that anchors and holds them down, these moments glorify them itself. Melfi is undoubtedly a better writer than the director, his nature to weave out a gripping structure is much more powerful than convincingly projecting one. A tale fragile and powerful as Hidden Figures probably required better methodology and treatment in order to draw out more than a nod from the viewers, but the work that went in here is still plausible enough to explore these figures.1… Expand

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