Forget About Gravity, 'First Man' Pulls the Emotions

Photo Credits: United International Pictures

When one thinks about astronauts, images of grandeur--space and planets--come to mind. Often correlated with cool white jumpsuits and spaceships, it is considered a glamorous job. You'll never think of it the same way after watching First Man.

Only two years after the six-time Academy Award winning film La La Land, Damien Chazelle and Ryan Gosling reteam to tell the story behind one of the greatest triumphs of mankind--the first moon landing. Told from the perspective of Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon himself, the film explores the sacrifices and difficulties in achieving this mission, and whether or not it is worthy at all cost.

Portraying the strong and independent wife of Neil is Claire Foy as Janet Armstrong whose aspiration is to live a normal married life. But with her husband's risky predisposition in his career, Janet deals with the sacrifices to make everything possible for Neil and their children. The mission is never easy. The never-ending worry is equally tough for the people left behind.

Photo Credits: United International Pictures

Right away, we see Neil as a test pilot corked into the claustrophobic section of the Gemini capsule flying in space, bouncing off the atmosphere, feeling and hearing the metallic rumbles of his machine as if it's going to explode while he tries hard to make his way back to Earth. Matched with Linus Sandgren's appropriately shaky cinematography, an outstanding sound design, and fast-paced editing, this first scene instantly becomes an immersive, panic-prompting experience.

At his home in Houston, he deals with his simple family along with his colleagues who are also part of their neighborhood wherein they create a solid companionship amidst several bad news they receive from their dangerous workplace. Worry is always looming at the back of their heads, but it also gives them commonality to relate with each other.

The film goes back-and-forth between Neil at work as he learns about their moon-landing mission, and Neil with his family as he juggles all the overwhelming feelings within. Josh Singer's script makes both environment a place of anxiety for Neil. Throughout, we see random glimpses of the moon from afar as if it's looking forward to face Neil, constantly reminding him of their union. To a degree, it's also the film's way of teasing a rewarding spectacle of the moon for the audience.

Photo Credits: United International Pictures

It did not disappoint. Damien Chazelle gives new meaning to 'shooting the moon' as he actually does the opposite and makes the moon landing scene a vivid possibility and perhaps, closest to reality. The whole scene is an out-of-this-world experience--complete with an intense buildup, a magnificent landscape reveal, an elegant score by Justin Hurwitz, and an emotional catharsis finalizing Neil's long and hard journey. In a way, it's a bit reminiscent of Maya's in Zero Dark Thirty wherein the ending provides an impassioned sigh-of-relief.

Ryan Gosling strengthens the whole thing with his earnest but heartfelt performance, satisfactorily supporting Chazelle's vision. Funny thing is, while the entirety of the moon scene is already magnificent as it is, it's Ryan Gosling's final moments on the moon that would take one's breath away. Claire Foy, on the other hand, shines bright minutes before the climax when Janet movingly commands Neil to confront their kids about the possibility of never seeing them ever again.

These scenes further prove that First Man isn't mainly about the mission, rather it's about the heroes--whether it's the people working their hardest at NASA knowing the dangerous nature of their work, or each of their families locking in their full support despite the non-stop wonder of going light-years to an unexplored place.

Photo Credits: United International Pictures

It's an elegant movie overall, and Damien Chazelle continues to find innovative ways to tell stories. JFK's We go to the Moon speech probably rings true to him, that he makes films not because they're easy, but because they're hard.  He demonstrates once again how to end an already great movie. If Mia and Sebastian's final act in La La Land gave us all the feels, Claire Foy and Ryan Gosling surpasses it with a simple but tender reunion scene, giving us a plethora of emotions to feel.

We often think of the moon landing as one of the greatest triumphs of mankind. But we never once or rarely think of the sacrifices done prior to these achievements. First Man changes our views about space flight, about these monumental missions, and most especially it changes the way we see these heroes. Our heroes.