First Man

*“We choose to go not because it* is easy, but because it is hard!” ** Anyone who knows me knows that the American manned space program is my Roman Empire. I love this era in time and whenever I get a chance to geek out about it I do. So I was hesitant to revisit this film because I didn’t enjoy when I first watched it. This time was different. This is probably the most realistic portrayal of this era of space travel in film. It’s fucking bleak and grim, the Gemini 8 sequence is insanely tense and to see the launch from the crew’s perspective provided an incredible insight.  The emphasis on Armstrong’s friendship with Ed White made the Apollo 1 plugs out test so much more heartbreaking. It’s so horrific and the depiction of Armstrong and White’s friendships adds so much more impact. Obviously the huge draw is the the Apollo 11 sequence and my fucking god Chazelle and cinematographer Linus Sandgren do not disappoint. There’s one shot where the Saturn V files over the horizon and I got literal chills. The switch to IMAX for the moon landing is breathtaking. I’d kill to see this in imax.  Gosling was one of the things I initially disliked about this film but this time I realised how incredible his performance is. His range is incredible!  Sandgren’s choice to shoot this on film made this look so beautiful. I love the grainy look and the scenes shot on Super 16mm were some of my favourites.  For years I’d wanted to love this film and five years later I’m so happy that I can say I do. It’s incredibly well made, meticulously shot and assembled like a true piece of art.