First Man - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann reviews First Man, starring Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Patrick Fugit, Ciaran Hinds, Pablo Schreiber. Directed by Damien Chazelle.

[FatNorthernBigot]

The first ten minutes were heartbreaking, the last twenty minutes were awe inspiring.

[stormix]

I don't know Chris, as a stoic person, I found myself connecting to Ryan Gosling's portrayal very well. And a lot of scenes moved me. This is a very accurate portrayal of how a stoic/quiet person acts and that's one of the things I loved about it.

[spaulagain]

Neil Armstrong was VERY stoic. That's one of the reasons he was chosen to command the first moon landing. So A+ for them being authentic to the man. I'd rather that be the case, then to embellish his character to please audiences.

So your "detachment" is a good sign for me.

[thenightking]

Can we all talk about how amazing the main soundtrack was at the end. I now listen too it all the time.

[ElliotCoen]

How long until the all female remake - First Woman?

[HermanFalckHow]

See your point. Don't agree. Think that was the point. The film is about assumtions, and how people shouldn't assume based on hunches and rumors. It isn't about his life, it is about this very personal experience he went through that also happened to be the most globally viewed event in history.

People assumed a lot about Armstrong and the moon landing itself. There are still people claiming it was a hoax. And then there are people saying "we walked on the moon". We didn't. They did.

Armstrong was a very private person and that was not a good thing in a lot of situation. But the movie goes through why he is like that and how he feels about certain people and situation. But in the end it isn't a character study. It is a dive into an extremely famous event that a lot of people feel many things about, even though they should probably shut up.

Loved it.
A+ film making.

[friendlypup]

“It’s really astounding what they can do with movie today”
-Chris Stuckmann

[jean-philippedoyon]

So you are saying he acted perfectly Neil Armstrong ? The man was super quiet and talk little about himself...the reverse of Buzz Aldrin...so in a way it's was perfect cast and act ! Also Neil barely talked to media, perhaps the real reason why he was chosen to be the first man on the moon...ill have to see to decide...

[gohan]

Saw this twice in the theatre, I didn't feel an ounce of boredom, every second was worthwhile. I think it helps that I'm a fan of this material but I can safely say that this movie is the closest depiction that I've seen of how it might feel to be part of a space program, and the movie does a great job of showing both the professional and personal side. Incredible footage of rocket launches and space, highly recommend this for the theatre.

Congrats to Damien Chazelle for creating this movie, he's definitely on my radar now.

[oldnbaschool]

Can't believe he had a problem with Armstrong's character the film focused on the character more than actual landing. One of the best films of the year, period.

[Clayaka]

Chris is one of my go to reviewers. On this movie I gotta say that one of his complaints to me seems off since it's how Neil was. He was a very private man and was very stoic. If they had changed Neil to make him seem more emotionally available for us to get close to and understand, they would have not been true to who he was. So to me that means, they accomplished a pretty accurate portrayal of the man.

[fatumteam]

Thats the point. This man was so depressed, he can't express his feelings. Like Phileas Fogg, nothing to lose because he already lose his young girl. And I think Chazelle did a tremendous job to give us a better picture how this mission was nearly impossibble. Because everybody dies around Armstrong, nearly killed himself also, and its just a can, and Nasa want this can to land in the face of Moon. Just Crazy. And the people reaction was so transparent. Frist everybody want to closed the mission, because just a money grinder, than everybody (blondies from the street, who know shit about spacefare) said: I always beleieved in this. Chazelle give us a realistic look, how in space when you have nearly nothing.

[ZuShin]

I have seen all this directors movies now and I am growing more and more impressed with his work. He just hasnt put a foot wrong so far. All his movies are great including this one. I dont understand why you didnt get emotionally connected with this movie. I sure did. I cried at the end because it was dealing with the themes of life and death, loss and grief, and acceptance in letting go. I believe this movie is a masterpiece as well.

I heard that some of Niel Armstrong's closests friends said that the short time he was alone on the moon, he left something there, and that item had something to do with his deceased daughter. So you could say that, that scene would be accurate in its symbolism.

I give the movie an AA++

[jflow]

I disagree. This film was about the harsh reality of going out on the edge. The risk, the grit, the fright, the personal loss, etc. It is all intertwined. Go outside and take a look at that white sphere in the evening sky. We Went THERE! It was man's greatest adventure to date. I was glad to catch a glimpse of this great feat. Even if it only lasted 2 and some odd hours.

[danteroxx]

Chris please review "Mandy".

[couchaholic]

"Is Damien Chazelle's new movie RUSHING OR DRAGGING?!"
"Dragging...."
"SO YOU DO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!"

[cliffbooth]

Chris where is your review for A star is born?

[rorywhelan_]

Chazelle is definitely going to be one of the greatest directors ever

[CINEMATTOX]

Love your stuff, man. But I gotta say...you might be getting a little hard to please. Not hearing you really enjoy anything lately. Don’t forget to be inspired when you go to the cinema. Keep up the great work. Just my two cents

[paulmichaelfreedman]

This movie is about a man and his family, and who happened to become the first man on the moon. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides that, the visuals were - absolutely - stunning. And the sound? well, to me the silent parts were the most impressive. It was tangible.