‘First Man’ depicts Armstrong’s trip to the moon

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When you think of the massive space program leading towards our first flight to the moon, try to imagine astronauts hurling through space in the technology of a ‘65 Buick. American test pilot Chuck Yeager refused to participate, condemning it as “Spam in a can.” Fortunately, there was no shortage of qualified candidates for the program.

In “The Right Stuff” (1983), “Apollo 13” (1995) and even the fictional “Gravity” (2013), we experienced the enormity of space and challenges of the team’s mission. In “First Man,” we get much of the same, but in this remarkable character study, Ryan Gosling reveals the emotional toll taken on the personal life of the renowned Neil Armstrong and on his empathetic wife, as he eventually becomes the very first man to step foot on the moon.

Based on the non-fiction book by Pulitzer Prize nominee James R. Hansen, who spent several years with the former astronaut, screenwriter Josh Singer then spent four years researching the background of the program to ensure the movie remained as factually accurate as possible, rare for a Hollywood movie.

Although this is a very different project than his prior experiences, Director Damien Chazelle (“Whiplash” 2013) brought in major players from his Academy Award-winning “LaLa Land,” including Ryan Gosling, Linus Sandgren (cinematography), Tom Cross (film editor), Justin Hurwitz (score) and Mary Zophres (costume designer).

In the 1960s, almost the entire nation was obsessed with the space program. However, a dissident group questioned the human sacrifice and $25 billion price tag. To what point and purpose? At that time, comedian Woody Allen once satirized being rejected by a lady friend who said, “Not even if it would help the space program!”

Unlike other astronauts in the Gemini or Apollo programs at that time, Armstrong was a civilian engineer who had originally been hired by NASA as a test pilot. As a “typical” engineer, he was modest, soft-spoken and a very private person, even with his wife and children. He was deeply affected by tragedy and faced more than his share. Armstrong was the antithesis of the stereotypical Top Gun hotshot.

You might say Armstrong was a reluctant hero. He did not accomplish this mission for fame or fortune. Not shown in the film, but he retired soon thereafter. Turning down both parties for political office, he refused to huckster his name for fame. Withdrawn and introspective, one could ask if he was the wrong person selected for such an honor. Or, maybe it was exactly the right stuff for this critical task.

This story begins in 1961, with Armstrong testing the X-15, a high-performance rocket-plane breaking through the atmosphere. A manager notes, “He’s an excellent engineer, but we better ground him before he hurts himself.” As Armstrong advances through the program, his son asks, “Mom, what’s wrong?” Janet (Claire Foy), responds, “Nothing honey, your dad’s going to the Moon.”

During one of the most dangerous missions in the history of space travel, tens of thousands are employed to create theories, technologies and procedures that never before existed. After another unsuccessful trial, the mission commander (Kyle Chandler) calmly explains, “We got this under control.” Janet scolds, “You’re a bunch of boys making models out of balsa wood! You don’t have anything under control!”

“First Man” is 141 minutes and rated PG-13 for thematic content involving peril and brief strong language. Some might not enjoy the personal melodrama quite as much as their protracted journey to the moon. But the final scenes are incredibly tense, even knowing the outcome. A nice touch was using actual recordings of the Apollo command center in the film.

There was controversy for not showing the planting of the American flag. But, this was one small step for (a) man (the “a” lost in transmission), as Armstrong viewed this to be a team project and one giant leap for (all) mankind. He once said, “I am, and ever will be, a white-socks, pocket-protector, nerdy engineer.” This is a very different kind of film, but it isn’t exactly rocket science.

Ron’s Rating: A-
Leigh’s Rating: C+