First Man Review

First Man
Director: Damien Chazelle
Cast Headliners: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Buzz Aldrin, Ciarin Hinds
Original Release Date : October 12, 2018

Space, the final frontier. However this can be truly thought of as the first frontier or for films a well traveled frontier. What Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and all the personnel at NASA achieved is mind blowing to think of for logistics. How can a known figures laugh be made interesting and how does the midas touch of Damien Chazelle carry through. It ends up being what's expected and in some ways something unconventional.
     To call this a biography is a bit misleading since it's not the whole story of former Navy man and astronaut Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) 's life. It's, for the most part, focused on his career leading up to the awe inspiring Moon landing.
        Gosling is a acting highlight of nearly every film he's in and this lives up to that. He sometimes plays to a certain type but if it ain't broke don't fix it.  Again it is a primarily physical role as he takes on the task of being the loyal and perseverant Armstrong. He manages to slip in some occasional emotional breakdowns as even up to and around the NASA days Armstrong had tough personal trials. Due to the plot much of every character's dialogue is delivered through headset and up close but his committed tone is felt.
    The supportive cast, and it very much ends up being that due to the nigh-solitary nature of space, is filled with some high caliber as well working with an as expected solid script.  Claire Foy portrays Janet Shearon who carries equal if not even more emotional weight in the film while also being a civilian angle to the mission at hand. Corey Stoll is Buzz Aldrin, the 'second man' of sorts and thus gets the most screen time compared to many misc other astronauts who are mostly obscured by helmets. He has some quips but like his peers is spouting intense factual science. The same could be said for Jason Clarke's Ed White and Ciarin Hinds's Robert Gilruth. Perhaps of notable other exception is Kyle Chandlers Deke Slayton who offers alot of NASA mission control. Together the cast shares various moments inspiring, slightly humorous, and at times somber.
   Somber it is because this is a very realistic, at times slow, fact based work. It feels almost nothing like director Damien Chazelle's past work. There's no flashy one cuts or fast camera moves. It only possibly reminds of his past due to the quality of the up close cinematography and certain landscape shots (more on that later). But even masking himself with more common techniques he is still solid.  The same applies for Justin Hurwitz score which is much more subdued than usual without a hint of jazz.
    This may be due to a purpose. The way the visuals happen are so immersive and gritty it can be at times claustrophobic and dizzying. That must be commended due to its capture of what space travel is and what was like perhaps more than any other science fiction or fact recently. Then, after a fascinating journey the Moon is reached and things open so much up once they get there. The score becomes majestic and the scenery a surreal beauty. This movie could certainly be described as being redeemed by a few sequences alone amidst it's lengthy runtime.
   It's not going to be for everyone. It's not for the faint of heart in the face of dizziness or those expecting the wacky free tone of Chazelle past work. But those interested in NASA's incredible space work and seeing some of the greatest efforts of human achievement should enjoy. The story, and the man at the center... And the main playing that main along the man filming that man are commendable to be sure. 8.45 out of 10