Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures
source
Name	Hidden Figures
Director	Theodore Melfi
Producer	Donna Gigliotti, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Pharrell Williams, Theodore Melfi
Screenplay	Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi
Based on	''Hidden Figures'' (book) by Margot Lee Shetterly
Starring	Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons
Music	Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, Benjamin Wallfisch
Cinematography	Mandy Walker
Editing	Peter Teschner
Studio	Chernin Entertainment, Levantine Films, TSG Entertainment
Distributor	20th Century Fox
Country	United States
Language	English

Hidden Figures. It is a biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Allison Schroeder and Melfi, based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. The film recounts the pivotal but previously overlooked contributions of a team of African-American female mathematicians at NASA during the Space Race. It focuses on the lives of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson as they navigate racial and gender discrimination while performing critical calculations for the Mercury and Apollo programs.

Plot summary

The narrative centers on Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician assigned to the Space Task Group at Langley Research Center, where she faces segregation and skepticism from colleagues like Al Harrison and Paul Stafford. Simultaneously, Dorothy Vaughan anticipates her promotion to supervisor while mastering the IBM 7090 computer to secure her team's future, and Mary Jackson petitions the Hampton City Court to attend all-white classes at Hampton High School to become NASA's first Black female engineer. Their collective work proves vital to the success of John Glenn's Friendship 7 orbital mission and subsequent spaceflights, culminating in their recognition within the agency.

Cast

The principal cast features Taraji P. Henson as mathematician Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as supervisor Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe as engineer Mary Jackson. Key supporting roles include Kevin Costner as Al Harrison, director of the Space Task Group, Kirsten Dunst as Vivian Mitchell, and Jim Parsons as Paul Stafford. The ensemble also includes Mahershala Ali as Jim Johnson, Glen Powell as astronaut John Glenn, and Katherine Johnson in a cameo appearance.

Production

Development began after producer Donna Gigliotti acquired the rights to Margot Lee Shetterly's then-unpublished book. Theodore Melfi and Allison Schroeder collaborated on the screenplay, with Pharrell Williams serving as a producer and contributing to the soundtrack alongside Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch. Principal photography took place primarily in Atlanta, with locations such as Morehouse College standing in for Langley Research Center. The production companies involved were Chernin Entertainment, Levantine Films, and TSG Entertainment, with 20th Century Fox handling distribution.

Historical accuracy

The film compresses timelines and creates composite characters for narrative clarity, such as the fictional Al Harrison, who embodies several NASA directors. While the core achievements of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are accurately portrayed, specific events, like a dramatic bathroom scene, are dramatized to highlight the realities of Jim Crow laws. The depiction of the IBM 7090 and the urgency surrounding the Friendship 7 mission is grounded in fact, and the film's conclusion aligns with the women's eventual recognition by NASA and the broader public.

Reception

Upon release, the film received widespread critical acclaim for its uplifting story, direction, and performances, particularly from Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. It was praised for shedding light on a significant yet neglected chapter of American history. The American Film Institute selected it as one of the top ten films of the year. It performed exceptionally well at the box office, grossing over $236 million worldwide against a $25 million budget, demonstrating strong audience appeal and cultural impact.

Awards and nominations

The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with Octavia Spencer nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi for Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and received nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globe Awards and Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

Category:2016 films Category:American biographical drama films Category:Films about NASA Category:20th Century Fox films