Weekly Film Analysis - Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures is a biographical drama with heavy comedic features throughout its duration. It is directed by Theodore Melfi and supported by a majority black female cast which is explained by its themes of racism, segregation and gender equality and that contextually all three main women within the film would have faced all of this throughout the Jim Crow era 1960’s as shown through a comedic sequence in which the main female character Katherine Johnson is made to run from one building to another just to use the toilet which is made out to be humorous at multiple times throughout the film's run until she is caught late by her boss and she is forced to express her predicament through the form of a speech. This is edited in such a way that accentuates to the audience that this system is not only inconvenient but unethical, which mirrors the attitudes of many Black-Americans of the time and now.



The film's mostly set within the NASA space station and the separate department which is their coloured department, by modern day standards this is complete racism but in 1960’s standard segregation was the norm but this film tries to show how although that as black women they are perhaps in the most difficult position they manage to push through that and achieve something great despite lack of belief. The film itself sets out to inspire with this message as it is bases heavily off a true story the actions the characters take throughout the film are real to a certain extent so it makes it easier for the audience to empathise and believe what the film is trying to sell through its realism.

In terms of camera quality it's shot in 4k and is made grainy is certain parts of the film to give a vintage effect and remind the audience that this is still set in the 1960's era and it uses a lot of images of rockets blasting off from real NASA missions to add drama to the tone of the film through the sound as well as remind older audiences of footage they may have seen growing up and create a nostalgic feel.

Critically the film did exceeding well with critics describing it as: Hidden Figures is the rare true story-based historical drama that succeeds at being as inspirational and feel-good as it aspires to be.
Sandy Schaefer
Screen Rant
⅘

It received a 93% rating on rotten tomatoes at was well received due to its heartwarming message.