K.T Simpson
In July 1969, the Americans pulled off an amazing feat that was cemented as one of the most significant events in the 20th Century: landing on the moon. We all know the Cliff Notes version: Neil Armstrong was the first man upon the moon, followed by Buzz Aldrin, while crewmate Michael Collins orbited above – with the world watching from afar.
What is more of a little known story is that of Armstrong’s. As it turns out, from Damien Chezelle’s “First Man”, the astronaut (played by Ryan Gosling) has more of a story to tell than just walking on the moon. His life at NASA consumes him, affecting his family life, and the loss of his 2-year old daughter is something that never leaves him.
Armstrong also lives through the loss of many a crewmate, with funerals becoming something he is just too used to attending. Chazelle addresses this with perfection, honoring the lives of the real-life astronauts that helped work towards the ultimate goal of exploring the space beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Claire Foy is outstanding as Gosling’s wife in the biopic, keeping the home fires burning as her husband spends the majority of his time outside the family home. Buzz Aldrin is played by Corey Stoll, who – let’s be honest – comes across as a bit of a prick, but is key to the mission to land on the moon in Apollo 11.
What all this results in is a flawless film. It’s not often I give 5 stars, but there’s nothing to fault about this film, which is quite literally out of this world. It surprises you on an emotional level, and delivers spectacularly on a visual level: making it the perfect film to see in the IMAX. Prepare to experience slight vertigo, motion sickness and claustrophobia though, as you sometimes forget that the film actually wasn’t filmed on the moon.
Composer Justin Hurwitz provides the score, perfectly complementing Chazelle’s direction and Linus Sandgren’s cinematography.
“First Man” is an epic, and it’s hard to believe that Chazelle is only 33 years old – already nailing and Oscar for Best Director. This film could be another kick straight through the goals for him.
“First Man” is nothing short of stunning perfection.
