It even boasts an almost-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes (Image: Twentieth Century Fox)
Fans of biographical period dramas like Oppenheimer, The Imitation Game, and A Beautiful Mind can add one more gem to their must-watch list. The best part? It’s airing on television this evening itself.
Audiences have said the ‘marvellously entertaining’ movie is ‘one of the best films ever’, with some fans declaring they’ve watched it ‘at least half a dozen times’ and continue to be entranced by it.
Airing on Film4 this evening on August 27 at 6.30pm, Hidden Figures is a historically significant yet massively entertaining film — both in equal measure.The biographical period drama stars Octavia Spencer, Taraji P Henson, and Janelle Monáe in the lead, with the talented actresses portraying the roles of three brilliant and historically important African-American mathematicians at NASA.
Written, directed and produced by Theodore Melfi with a screenplay co-written with Allison Schroeder, Hidden Figures is a truly inspiring film — and audiences across the board agree.
The ‘brilliant’ film is airing on Film4 tonight at 6.30pm (Image: Twentieth Century Fox)
Loosely based on nonfiction author Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 book of the same name, the film tells the real-life story of Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson — three of the biggest brains at NASA in the 1950s and 60s, who were behind one of the greatest space operations in history.
These brilliant women often don’t get their due and are frequently overlooked in history books, and the theatrical release of Hidden Figures changed that reality to a large extent.
The three lead actresses are joined by Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, and Glen Powell to round out a talented, and star-studded, cast.
The movie’s official plot states: “Three brilliant African American women at NASA, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history, the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.”
Hidden Figures was a rousing commercial success, grossing a staggering $236 million at the global box office against a production budget of $25 million
Octavia Spencer, in particular, was highly commended for her portrayal of Dorothy, and received nominations for all the top Best Supporting Actress awards after the film’s release, including an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG).
It’s the untold and often overlooked story of three brilliant women at NASA (Image: Twentieth Century Fox)
Hidden Figures itself was nominated for three Academy Awards overall for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
With a smashing 93% critics and audience approval rating, the movie was a roaring success on all fronts.
One impressed critic said about the movie: “It’s a feel good, inspirational and entertaining film with winning performances across the board and an incredibly valuable history lesson.”
While another reviewer added: “Boy or girl, man or woman, black or white, any audience member who has ever marveled at the Space Age of our national history will find much to love in Hidden Figures.”
A third critic said: “It’s an important film to be sure, but also a well-written and well-acted piece that’s as inspiring as it is entertaining. It made me laugh and cry, with an ending that made me want to get up and cheer.”
Audiences have been left equally enamoured, with one viewer saying: “One of the best films I have ever seen, truly a film to inspire anyone who sees it.”
A user review posted to IMDB says: “Hidden Figures is a marvelously entertaining film. The script adaptation by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi tells its true story accurately and engagingly. Melfi also directs and uses his talented and award-worthy cast to thrill us, to make us cheer and give us moments of humor and just plain fun.
“I was impressed at how much this movie packed in without seeming cluttered, how much it affected me emotionally without being manipulative, and how much appreciation I gained for these women. Don’t let Hidden Figures be a hidden treasure. See it soon! It’s out of this world. A+”
Another fan of the film shares: “I loved it so much, I purchased it. And I’ve watched it at least a half dozen times already. Okay, maybe more. The acting was so good, the obstacles these women overcame in their lives… beautifully acted. These women earned their place in history and helped push forward the science of space travel. It’s a must see!”
While one viewer wrote: “Hidden Figures is one of those rare films that leaves a lasting impression every time you watch it. I’ve seen it multiple times now, and each viewing only deepens my appreciation for its powerful storytelling and exceptional performances.”
Hidden Figures will air this evening on Film4 at 6.30pm.
