Thursday, January 5, 2017

Reel Talk: Hidden Figures





by Da CogNegro




Release Date: December 25th (Limited)  January 6th (Nationwide)

Synopsis: Based on a true story, a team of African American women provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program's first successful space missions.


Review: A pervasive trend in black cinema, that has become more and more difficult to contend with, is the notion that our dramatic narratives must revolve around the theme of being victimized. This is not to say that  history is not replete with such tales of persecution. However, there has been an incessant clamoring for other accounts to be depicted in film, thus proving that the tent poles of our history are not just planted in the soil of victimization.This is why Hidden Figures succeeds at not only being a refreshing take but  one that constitutes as necessary viewing. The three central characters, played vividly and meticulously by Taraji P. Henson, Janell Monae and Octavia Spencer, do well to authentically encapsulates the essence of  empowered , black feminism during a time when it was suppressed thanks in part to societal biases fueled by white supremacy.To witnesses the debunking of such beliefs, that these "figures" were intellectually inferior, creates repeated moments of immense satisfaction and joy that never feels patronizing or playacted. Beyond its' crowd pleasing aspects though stirs burrowing concerns that relate to the omission  of other such figures and events from the pages of American history. Nevertheless, those lingering concerns can not prevent this film from being triumphant in providing models, for girls of  all shades, to aspire to as well  accomplished women, gaining the opportunity, to finally witness their mirror images receive proper praise and attention! (A-) -CgN














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