Hidden Figures

The story of three black women (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer & Janelle Monáe) working at NASA in the 60s and their roles in helping John Glenn orbit the earth, a job made harder by the racial segregation still in operation in Virginia at the time.

If you’ve seen the trailer to Hidden Figures, or even read the single sentence-summary above, you can pretty accurately predict how it’s going to pan out. This is definitely a flaw but it’s such a feel good experience that the paint-by-numbers style of film-making can be forgiven.

The three excellent leads are what make the film, led mainly by Taraji P. Henson, and the supporting cast has a few big hitters (Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Mahershala Ali) that leave an impression.

There’s honestly very little else to say. Yes it follows a tried and tested formula, but it’s so gentle, charming and inspirational that it’s hard to dislike. You won’t be running back to the cinema but Hidden Figures melts even the coldest of hearts.