First Man

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, and Corey Stoll
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Screenplay by: Josh Singer
Based on the book by James R. Hansen

     Yes, this is the same director who did La La Land from a few years ago.  But this is a true story this time, and not necessarily a feel good one.
     Many of us know about Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.  First Man is not simply the story of the moon landing, but the story about Armstrong and what led him to be the first man in history to walk on the moon.  It's a story about making huge sacrifices for himself, and his family, in order to accomplish such a goal, as well as overcoming a great deal of grief. 
     The film focuses almost entirely on Neil (Ryan Gosling).  The film opens up on him as one of the premiere pilots in the military, piloting the X-15; a plane that was capable of flying over 100,000 feet altitude.  He is portrayed as a very stoic and emotionless man throughout the film, especially after the loss of his daughter (making Ryan Gosling an excellent choice for the role).  Any time a new opportunity comes up for him through either the military or NASA, he does not think much on the decision as to whether or not to take it.  He seems not to be much of a family man either, as he does not tell his wife or children much about what he does, where he is going, or how long he will be gone for.  In one scene, ahead of the Apollo 11 launch, his wife, Janet (Claire Foy), basically forces him to tell his children exactly what this mission to the moon entails, including the risk of him not coming back at all.  It is clearly a difficult moment for Neil, although not because of what he has to tell his children, but the fact that he has to tell them anything at all.  Overall, I think Armstrong is not necessarily portrayed in the best of lights in First Man.
     First Man feels like a film produced more for its visuals than its story; more for its style than its substance.  I felt the same about Chazelle's last film, La La Land (which I very much loved).  The IMAX experience is well worth it for this film.  While much of the film looks as though it may as well have been shot on 35mm, the launch sequences and moon sequences are clearly done using IMAX cameras, making for an immersive experience.  The camera shakes along with the ship as it launches giving the viewer a good idea of what it must be like to be in a rocket ship like that.  Most of the rest of the film seems to be done with handheld cameras, and the scenes that shouldn't shake, shake anyway.  This made for a dizzying movie going experience.  My best guess is that it looks more amateurish, an aesthetic that throughout the history of cinema, many filmmakers have tried to achieve.  Sometimes such a cinematic style works well.  Not for First Man however. 
     Characters are not always introduced well in this film either.  It assumes we know who all of them are and their roles in NASA at the time.  It is easy to forget who some of these characters are as the film progresses.  I found myself wondering a few times who someone was as the film progressed (perhaps because I was too focused on the shaky camera during the scenes). 
     I left the theater sadly feeling unimpressed with First Man.  It feels like it is more style than substance, although not a bad film.  I am impressed by the styles Chazelle draws from and his understanding of the cinematic aesthetic in this film.  Although a long 2 hours and 21 minutes, the length feels appropriate for this kind of story.  First Man is certainly an intriguing film.

I give First Man a B-. 

Image Source: Geek Hard