Review
JAMIE EAST AT THE MOVIES
First Man is beautifully made but Claire Foy’s emotional performance steals the show
Shot mainly handheld, this story is told in an up-close-and-personal way, focusing more on people than panoramic vistas
NO spoilers.
First Man is Damien Chazelle’s (Whiplash, La La Land) take on Neil Armstrong’s death defying journey to the moon.
8
It is not only a beautifully made film, but has to work hard at filling in gaps left by Armstrong himself - clearly a reserved and private man, and America’s most reluctant of heroes.
For me, this is a curiously detached story.
Given I was born 5 years after it happened, the whys and wherefores aren’t something I’ve ever given too much thought to (selfish young whippersnapper that I am).
The first steps were always something that had just…‘happened’.
8
The steps and that quote have been seen more times than any other footage and I’m sure I’m not alone in becoming pretty numb to the sacrifice and sheer magnitude of the accomplishment.
It had always been about the spacesuit on the steps – not necessarily the foot in that boot.
First Man corrects that perspective pretty bloody quickly.
Shot handheld, almost always close up and tight on faces - the hyper-realistic cinematography takes you as close to the action as possible.
8
Lift off scenes are terrifying.
Noisy, ramshackle and extremely precarious.
Space is largely seen through POV of characters - visors, tiny windows etc - the message is clear - this isn’t about the vistas, it’s about the people.
There are several utterly breathtaking shots peppered throughout - whether it’s the blue to black gradient seen in Armstrong’s peripheral vision on a test flight to near orbit, his view as he parachutes to safety - or the wisps of smoke snaking out of an exploded hatch.
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Couple this with the sometimes bowel-disturbing sound of screeching metal and popping rivets combined with Justin Hurwitz’s score and you’ll be as fit to burst as some of the rivets holding Gemini together.
Astronauts scream, but you can’t hear them.
It’s expertly glued together by Chazelle, who’s proved he can turn his hand to anything he damn well pleases and it’ll be magnificent.
If there are any problems here - it’s with the lead character.
8
We meet Neil in the Mojave desert.
It’s 1961 and he’s testing a X-15.
It doesn’t go well.
Distracted by his daughter’s illness (and eventual death) it’s clear there are complex depths and layers to Armstrong that are often hinted, but never lifted above the surface.
8
Neil Armstrong launched to the moon in Apollo 11 on 16th July 1969 and passed away in 2012This is no fault of Gosling - who is perfectly cast.
The brevity and heartbeat of the film is left to Claire Foy as Janet, his wife.
She is superb.
Often the only person citing the obvious fact that this whole exercise is ludicrous and dangerous, for the first two thirds she’s pretty understated - not given much to do other than look tense, stoic and supportive.
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The third act is all her - which is pretty impressive when you think of what happens.
Forcing her husband to look his sons in the eye and warn them he may not return is the lynchpin of the entire film.
“You’re a bunch of boys making models out of balsa wood” pretty much summing up a particular low point in proceedings.
Taking their turn going to colleagues funerals, wonder gin when their turn is coming weighs heavily in the air.
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Other notables are Corey Stoll (House of Cards) as Buzz Aldrin who is perfectly cantankerous and belligerent.
“I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking!” says Buzz.
“Maybe you shouldn’t” says Neil.
The choice to make “the” moment as small as possible - no cheering control room or a planet’s population holding their breath - is a masterstroke. Not as patriotic as some would have wanted, but fitting.
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I’m not sure we learn much about the man, but quite a lot about manki… Sorry.
One question though… How does he drop something to the ground in space?
Get back to me Damien.
First Man, 141mins (12A)
★★★★☆
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