Today’s Prayer Focus
Oscar® Nominee for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Actress in a supporting roleMOVIE REVIEW
Hidden Figures
also known as “Les figures de l'ombre,” “Dolda tillgångar,” “Elementos Secretos,” See more »
MPA Rating:
for thematic elements and some language.
for thematic elements and some language.
Reviewed by: Tina Coffey—first time reviewer
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults Teens |
| Genre: | True-Story Drama Adaptation |
| Length: | 2 hr. 7 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2016 |
| USA Release: |
December 28, 2016 (25 U.S. theaters) January 6, 2017 (wide—3,286 theaters) DVD: April 11, 2017 |
Relevant Issues
Biblical women with admirable character, include: Mrs. Noah, Mary (mother of Jesus), Esther, Deborah, and Milcah, daugher of Zelophehad
| Featuring |
Taraji P. Henson … Katherine Johnson Octavia Spencer … Dorothy Vaughan Janelle Monáe … Mary Jackson Kevin Costner … Al Harrison Kirsten Dunst … Vivian Michael Mahershala Ali … Jim Johnson Jim Parsons … Paul Stafford Aldis Hodge … Levi Jackson Glen Powell … John Glenn See all » |
| Director | Theodore Melfi (Ted Melfi)—“St. Vincent” (2014) |
| Producer |
Levantine Films Chernin Entertainment See all » |
| Distributor |
 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company |
“Genius has no race. Strength has no gender. Courage has no limit.”
The title of this movie should have been “Hidden TREASURES”! This is a breath of fresh air. I LOVE being able to go to a movie and have so few concerns about content.
There have been many movies made about the space program, and I never would have thought about this point of view. I really loved all the female characters, and Kevin Costner’s character is hopefully how I would have behaved back in those days, as a white woman. I have a Haitian born son that we adopted when he was 5 and is now 8. It is such a privilege being able to introduce him to positive historical African American people. I went with my book club, but am planning on going back with the whole family.
This film is based on the Margot Lee Shetterly book Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race, published by HarperCollins.
Violence: Mild / Profanity: Mild—h*ll (5+), d*mn (12+), Jesus Christ (1), My G*d (1) / Sex/Nudity: Mild
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Positive
Positive—This was a great movie, very enjoyable. It is a true story. It shows what was going on in the sixties with desegregation, especially in Virginia. The main part of the movie is about 3 ladies and other women who were very smart, especially in the area of math and how they helped in the Space Program. It was a look into history that I had no idea existed.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Sheila C, age 61 (USA)
Positive—Great movie, took my wife, we both grew up in the 60’s and had no idea as to the amount of segregation that occurred at NASA. The movie showed the struggles and the victories. It is a very good movie, well worth seeing, and a great reminder of the dedication bravery and sacrifice those involved with the space race put forward. Treats religion with dignity, and courting with respect. Children and teens might find it slow, but the story line is superlative.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Dennis, age 63 (USA)
Positive—The overall movie was good, however, it showed the heart of man to his fellow man (woman). As a Black person, I was cheering because the ladies were given a chance to show their intellect. Also, as a Black person, I cringed at the open racism that they faced and what we still face today. My stomach was in knots at the beginning of the movie, because it brought back so many memories of living through the sixties.
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Earlie, age 63 (USA)
Positive—Loved this movie. It portrays the bravery and intellect of three very gifted black women in the 60’s. A time of very definite racial prejudice, especially in the South; it was still kind of a shock to look back and remember how black people were treated in America. These women were exceptional in courage and perseverance in advancing themselves in a field that was not gender friendly to women, especially if they were not white. A story that needed to be told.
Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 3
Janene, age over 50 (USA)
Positive—I down rated technical aspects because of:
#1. The turquoise car they did several scenes in was a 1957 Chevy. My family owned one almost identical. When viewed through the front windshield while they were driving, the shift lever was in PARK. Really!
#2. The scenes done in the rooms where the “computers” were working at their desks, there were NO SLIDE RULES. You millennials might have to research what that is, but in that time every “computer” would have had at least two, a large one and a small one. See all »
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 2½
#1. The turquoise car they did several scenes in was a 1957 Chevy. My family owned one almost identical. When viewed through the front windshield while they were driving, the shift lever was in PARK. Really!
#2. The scenes done in the rooms where the “computers” were working at their desks, there were NO SLIDE RULES. You millennials might have to research what that is, but in that time every “computer” would have had at least two, a large one and a small one. See all »
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 2½
Clyde, age 60+ (USA)
Movie Critics
…Far from a dry scientific tutorial or historical treatise, “Hidden Figures” is a warm, lively, often funny depiction of women whose brains and work ethic were indefatigable. …
Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post
…A Grade-A Hollywood crowd-pleaser…
Kenneth Turan, Los angeles Times
…There is something to be said for a well-told tale with a clear moral and a satisfying emotional payoff. …
A.O. Scott, The New York Times
…Watching Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe is pure pleasure… both a dazzling piece of entertainment and a window into history, bucks the trend of the boring-math-guy movie. …
Stephanie Zacharek, Time
…a powerful tale of talent trumping bigotry… this is a tale that nearly defies belief…
Tony Hicks, The Mercury News
…Helping lift the overall mood and the movie's momentum are Pharrell Williams’ original songs. …satisfying slice of history that'll entertain adults as well as kids looking to the stars. …
Brian Truitt, USA Today
…eye-opening… engaging story… provides an invaluable and uplifting history lesson and irresistible feel-good entertainment…
Keven Lally, Film Journal International
…Feel-good drama… “Hidden Figures” is empowerment cinema at its most populist, and one only wishes that the film had existed at the time it depicts. …
Peter Debruge, Variety
…You can feel good about enjoying hidden figures / An inspirational story that avoids syrup and cliché. …
Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair
…Poised for crowd-pleasing liftoff, despite cracks in the foundation… In what can feel like a frustratingly two-dimensional history lesson, albeit one whose resonance is undeniable, it helps that they’re played by a trio of actresses with charm to spare. …
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter
…doesn’t reach orbit… [3/5]
Stephen Whitty, New York Daily News
…has sentiment on its side, even if it’s a touch overblown… [3/5]
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out Chicago
PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4