First Man (2018)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2018
	Director: Damien Chazelle (Whiplash, La La Land)
	Actors: Ryan Gosling (Drive, Blade Runner 2049), Claire Foy, Jason Clarke (Terminator Genisys)
	Country: USA
	Genre: Drama
	Conditions of visioning: 23.07.2020, VOD, 10" tablet screen
Synopsis: A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong (Gosling), and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Review: It is surprising that we had to wait almost 50 years for the first non-documentary movie about the Lunar landing. And indeed I wondered myself: what's the point, the facts are so well documented. It was not the same for Apollo 13, a mission which innate potential catastrophe was more suited for a cinema adaptation as early as 1995. For the movie to be more than a simple well-made recollection of the events, however significant they were, it chose to focus on one man, Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the Moon. Interesting choice, as Armstrong is known to have largely avoided public appearances since his return, while Buzz Aldrin could be seen everywhere. And how could the movie separate the two? Aldrin is shown very little in fact, and usually as a cold-blooded asshole which doesn't get along with the others, but when on the job he is shown as an outstanding professional. Well the separation is done by telling the story of Armstrong since well before 1969, focusing on his lost daughter, his reserved character, the relationship with his wife and his job. In this life story pop here and there crucial events of the Lunar program: the beginning of Gemini, the competition with the USSR, Armstrong's selection for Gemini 8, the death of pilots and astronauts, the doubts of Congress and of the American public, all leading to the most important mission, and the movie ending shortly after. Gosling was a good choice to show a man of few words, and he is accompanied by other excellent actors that I like to see like Jason Clarke (Terminator Genisys), Kyle Chandler (King Kong, Godzilla: King of the Monsters), Corey Stoll (House of Cards, Ant-Man), Ciarán Hinds (Game of Thrones), Shea Whigham (Joker)... I liked a lot the focus on Armstrong and the acting by Gosling, the political and history bits and the tense missions Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 but also their preparation. Visual effects are very good and immersive all along. And the mix of all this is helped by a great score by Justin Hurwitz, making you hold your breath. A very good movie, too bad I couldn't watch it on a decent screen.
Rating: 8 /10