As a retired mathematics teacher, I took great pride in watching three brilliant African-American women help launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The film focuses on the untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), a mathematical prodigy whose grasp of analytic geometry makes her indispensable to NASA.
But Katherine’s workplace environment is far from pleasant.
As the only female mathematician in a sea of white men, she is barely tolerated by her colleagues and forced to endure indignities. I couldn’t believe her half-mile trek to the “colored” bathroom in a separate building and the “colored” coffee pot that was designated for her use. Thankfully, Director Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) intervenes.
Acting office supervisor (without the proper title or pay), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) deals with an unsympathetic superior (Kirsten Dunst), who accepts and promotes the idea that segregation is “just the way things are.”
Feisty Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) faces discrimination at all levels when she applies to the engineer training program at the University of Virginia.
Eyes riveted to the screen, I alternated between goose bumps and brimming tears, as I watched these ‘60s women surmount challenges and receive the respect and recognition they rightfully deserved. Photos of the actual women in the closing credits add to the authenticity of this larger-than-life film.
Joanne Guidoccio 
Pingback: Tell Again Tuesday Movie Hidden Figures | C.D. Hersh
Great post thank you. This film achieves what any bio-pic drama can hope for: it offers feel-good entertainment while informing about a remarkable episode in history. Its also part of a wider cultural adjustment to the historical record which is mostly written by men for men. It will take decades to correct the chronicles and show the role of women in its correct light.
Excellent comment! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Pingback: Movie Review: Hidden Figures — Joanne Guidoccio | Ashley Strange
Thanks for reblogging, Ashley 🙂
Sounds interesting and worthwhile to check out. 🙂
Good to see you here, Rosey. I enjoyed and highly recommend this movie. 🙂
Reblogged this on Jeannie Hall Suspense and commented:
Can’t wait to see this!
Thanks for reblogging, Jeannie 🙂
Great review Joanne. I felt like I was sitting beside you. I’ll definitely watch this film.
all the best,
Jo-Ann
Thanks Jo-Ann! 🙂
Reblogged this on NEVA BROWN & BOOKS.
Thanks for reblogging, Neva 🙂
Good review. Guess I’ll have to put this on my must-see list. Thanks, Joanne.
You’re very welcome, Rusty. You’ll enjoy the movie. 🙂
Saw Hidden Figures on Wednesday. Outstanding movie, just as you promised. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation.
Great! 🙂
I can’t wait until this movie comes to my area!!!
A must-see movie…so inspirational! Thanks for dropping by, Peggy 🙂