First Man

With the transformative source material of Neil Armstrong and the mesmerizing production built to bring these events back into reality, the only thing First Man loses on the flight is a compelling story. Director Damien Chazelle returns with Ryan Gosling to show the world what was happening in Neil’s life during his journey to the Apollo 11 mission, and it is centered so close to his inner struggle that it jettisons any focus on the space race against the USSR.

This film blasts off with the most intense and immersive experience of flight in a claustrophobic and ear blasting cockpit banging between atmosphere and space. Leading up to the Apollo 11 landing, every shot of space is through some pane of glass; whether it is through a helmet or a window in the rocket, the moon is separated from the audience’s reach. It seems to taunt us, never fully showing itself as it hides behind trees and space dust. Then, after hours of blood, sweat, and tears, we are on the surface, fully absorbing its vast emptiness, and it is beautiful. The technical production blew me away. The sound and weight of the machinery jolts you out of your seat. The barrier of space is more than a vacuum, it is an unrelenting antagonist pushing every character to their breaking points and beyond. The physicality of this film gives it the fuel to reach its destination, but without the landing gear of a worthy story.

The main subject is Neil Armstrong. It is not the space race. It is not the US against the USSR. It is Neil Armstrong, but as the audience I never felt connected to him. Especially in the beginning, the handheld camera work that follows him around his home is so alienating I feel like I am watching this story unfold 100 miles away. When the camera severs any connection we could have with the characters, it is never regained when the shots stabilize. Ryan Gosling performs another great role, but the film never lets us be with him on the journey. Neil’s development is based on him mourning the death of his daughter, and using his grief to do something great for her; in the process, Neil loses everything. The Apollo 1 sequence is chilling, and we see it before Neil finds out; watching him get the phone call gives us a connection to link with his emotions, but we never feel it. Neil sits there in his own grief and sadness, wondering why he is fighting so hard—sacrificing his family and health—to make it on the moon. There is so much going on with Ryan Gosling’s performance and the supporting cast shifting around his character, but the camera distances us from the action, preventing us from experiencing the film we are trying to watch.

Overall, it is a visual sight to behold. It recreates the Apollo 11 recordings, and the crises that had to take place beforehand, as authentically as possible. Once we are on the moon, its silence pulls out real emotion and character, but it is not coming from the people on the screen.

Story Rating: 6/10

Character Rating: 5/10