Logan Sork Film Reviews
First Man
The Apollo 11 Moon landing is widely regarded as one of the most significant events in human history. It is an event which nearly the entire world is familiar with, as it showed that we as humans were capable of sending man into space merely 60 years after we achieved the ability to fly. Strangely enough however, not many people know about Neil Armstrong beyond his iconic quote “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. First Man tells the story of the Apollo 11 mission from the human side of things, with the main focus being on Neil Armstrong. The film presents an epic look into the mission and the challenges the people involved with it faced, but more importantly it focuses on Neil’s journey and challenges, both with the mission and his own personal life. This emphasis on Armstrong allows for the film to showcase breathtaking sequences of space flight without loosing sight of the excellent emotional narrative at its core.
First Man is directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong. The film follows Armstrong from 1961 during the initial test flights up to 1969 in which the Apollo 11 mission made it to the moon. Along the way, we learn of the tests and challenges that Armstrong face in his life. Whether it be the dangerous test flights that threaten to send him to his death or the devastating loss of his youngest daughter to a tumor. As Neil makes his way through this period, he is helped by his wife Janet (Claire Foy) with both sets of challenges, even while dealing with her own. The film asks the question of what costs were made to get to the moon, whether to be to the country or Armstrong.
What separates First Man from other space films like Apollo 13 or 2001: A Space Odyssey is that the focus is on the people involved with the event rather than the event itself. By focusing on the people involved, we become invested in their story and have a better connection to them overall. The cast does an amazing job in helping us connect with the characters. Ryan Gosling is amazing as Neil Armstrong, who has a mainly stoic and calculating persona, but is layered to have some emotional moments to show that there are indeed times where he feels the pressure of what he is doing. It is in these moments that the audience truly connects with the character, and Gosling does an excellent job of selling them. Claire Foy is also excellent as Janet Armstrong, serving as a foil to Neil’s personality. The film also focuses on the toil that she went through, showing that this event was just as hard for her as it was for Neil.
Because of the focus on character, the sequences in which the tests are carried out are carried out are even more exhilarating. The vehicles used by the characters in this film are not the graceful well-made vehicles many other space films show. They are essentially tin cans with rockets strapped to them, and threaten to fall apart with every jolt and bang they experience. Because of our established connection with the characters, we remain on the edges of our seats, hoping that our characters survive the outcome. Another element that helps turn up the intensity of the sequences is Chazelle's decision to film it with hand-held cameras. Usually I am against this format, but this is one case in which the format vastly improves the film. By using this rough style, we feel as if we were really inside the space craft with these men, experiencing every terrifying moment with them. This style, combined with the excellent sound design and music makes for some truly breathtaking moments.
The film also excellently portrays the hardships faced by the people involved in the mission. I know it does a good job at this, because even though I knew they would make it because it’s history, a small part of me wondered if they would make it. The film does not shy away from the controversy surrounding the event, whether it be the worrying of the American people, or the deaths of people involved in accidents along the way. The film also focuses on the emotional challenges that Armstrong faced along the way. His focus was always on his work, while forgetting the truly important things such as family and friends along the way. It is the struggle that Armstrong faces to balance these two things that makes this film more of an excellent engaging drama more than anything else.
First Man is an amazing film. By offering a personal behind the curtain look at one of the most iconic events in history, we gain a better connection with it personally, rather than it being another history film. The emotionally gripping story of Neil Armstrong is elevated with amazing performances, excellent music, brilliant direction and breathtaking space sequences and some poignant emotional moments that will forever change your view of the first man to walk on the moon.
10/10