Movie Review: 'Hidden Figures'

A new historical movie looks at the contributions of three African-American women to our space program in the early 1960's. Spectrum News film critic Neil Rosen filed the following review of "Hidden Figures."

A new movie based on a true story looks at the contributions of three African-American women during the early days of the United States' space program. It is called "Hidden Figures."

In the early 1960s, three brilliant black women, using their great mathematical abilities, helped NASA try to figure out a way to beat the Russians into outer space. Their great accomplishments were barley acknowledged because of the color of their skin and their gender.

As we learn about these unsung heroes, we see the racial discrimination that they had to suffer on a daily basis.

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae make up the trio. However, it's Henson who steals the show as we witness her rightful indignation of having to walk a mile, round trip, just to use a segregated bathroom. When she reaches her boiling point it's an Oscar worthy moment.

Her bosses reaction when he learns that's the reason why she goes missing for 45 minutes each day is also quite good. He's played by Kevin Costner, and along with the rest of the cast they all do a fine job.

It's the flip side of "The Right Stuff," as real life events that were depicted in that movie take place again here, but this time we see them unfold from a different perspective.

Director Theodore Melfi takes a conventional, not particularly subtle approach. It's not an artsy way into the subject matter. But his gentle touch, combined with moments of light humor, creates several scenes that are heartwarming and leaves us with an inspirational message.

Ultimately, it is a very satisfying movie, with historical significance, and it is great to see these women finally get their due.