Two aspects that any critic might consider when discussing a film are tone and intention. They might ask themselves: “What’s the intent of what I’m watching?” and “Are the thematic elements that are presented depicted properly?” Both of these questions come to mind when viewingHidden Figures, a film that tells the story of three Black women who played a pivotal role during the formative years of NASA.
Hidden Figures, while certainly being an uplifting film that depicts a part of history that’s largely unnoticed, is also precisely what you would expect fromDisney, which surprisingly didn’t release the film – 20th Century Fox did, three years before it was acquired by Disney. Despite the noblest of intentions to tackle subjects such as racism and segregation,Hidden Figuresis hindered by historical inaccuracies and cinematic tropes that have become all too common.
A Race for Space and Equality
Hidden Figurestakes place during a pivotal time in American history. The superpowers of the United States and the Soviet Union are engaged in a race for the domination of space. Additionally, within the borders of America, the struggle for racial equality and civil rights permeates every state, as institutional racism is being challenged. These two struggles are juxtaposed as Katherine Goble (Taraji P. Henson), an African-American mathematician, is tasked with working with a brain trust responsible for sending AstronautJohn Glenn into spaceto orbit the Earth and return home safely.
Hidden Figuressucceeds at depicting the frenetic and competitive nature of the space race. Particularly, the pressure on NASA after the Soviet Union succeeded in launching the Sputnik satellite into orbit and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into space. The struggle to catch up with the Soviet Union is exhibited through Al Harrison (Kevin Costner), who leads a group of scientists and mathematicians to establish a foothold in the formative years of space exploration.
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Coinciding with the pressures at NASA is Goble’s struggle against segregation.Hidden Figureshas noble intentions in depicting this tumultuous period in American History. Supporting characters echo many of the sentiments that were commonplace, such as inept arguments of “it’s the way things are.” The film depicts how everything from libraries to drinking fountains, restrooms, and buses was a part of the system of segregation.The film’s ability to strike an emotional chord with its audience by portraying these aspects and Goble’s struggle is certainly its biggest strength. And yet, it’s also something of an Achilles’ heel.
A common trope found in some Hollywood films,often referred to as the “white savior,”is present inHidden Figuresand nowhere more apparent than in the character of Al Harrison. Harrison tearing down a sign on a segregated bathroom and proclaiming, “Here at NASA, we all pee the same color,” is indicative of this unhelpful trope. At best, it shows the changes occurring within the country in the early 1960s. At worst, it trivializes the civil rights movement and shows that it takes a white savior to bring about the changes necessary for the equality of all.
Narrative and Historical Accuracy
Hidden Figures, by and large, is firmly entrenched in the historical events of the civil rights movement and the space race in the early 1960s. The question now becomes how accurateHidden Figuresis and whether it properly transposes historical facts to the narrative contained within the film itself.Many of the historical events chronicled inHidden Figuresare condensed for the sake of running time and to cover as many topics as possible related to the space race. The film, which takes place in 1961, chronicles the launching of the Sputnik satellite and Yuri Gagarin’s orbital flight. The launching of Sputnik occurred in 1957, and the end of segregation at NASA (then called NACA) occurred the following year in 1958.
The depiction of segregation at NASA inHidden Figures, while not entirely accurate to the time period in which it takes place, benefits the narrative. Because ofthe ongoing civil rights movementoccurring in 1961, and howHidden Figuresjuxtaposes it with the space race, it further illustrates the struggles that occur on all fronts — both in society and in places of employment.
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The overriding presentation and tone inHidden Figuresare somewhat inconsistent. However, the intent of making an uplifting film that elicits an emotional response is executed well.A glaring issue that’s impossible to overlook is the film’s dialogue, which is overcrowded with exposition. A film likeHidden Figuresis meant to appeal to a broader audience, so exposition is somewhat necessary. However, it leads to an overriding issue with the film.Hidden Figuresis precisely what one would expect to come from Disney. Many characters feel likefacsimiles of what we’ve seenin some of their live-action films. Character arcs and situations are achieved at the expense of plausibility.
IsHidden Figuresa poor film? Far from it. It intends to cover an aspect of history that has mostly gone overlooked. Audiences enjoy stories of hope, perseverance, and overcoming the odds, all of which are found inHidden Figures. Despite a few items that hinder it from being remarkable, it’s easy to see how a film like this can lead a whole new generation to look at the stars with wonder, awe, and inspiration.
Where Can I Watch ‘Hidden Figures’?
Hidden Figures, a movie inspired by true events, is currentlystreaming on Disney+ and Prime Video.
