“First Man” (2018) – Ryan Gosling’s Magnificent Science-fiction Masterpiece About Neil Armstrong

Director: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Jason Clarke, Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy

‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’

Not many actors in Hollywood have left a mark on movies as strong as Jason Clarke. Since his stardom in the 1990’s, Clarke has turned into a celebrated icon. Whether it’s astronauts which face dangers, mountain survivors or dedicated soldiers, Clarke has depicted many compelling characters. Arguably, Clarke’s best strength as an actor has often been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has often poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Clarke has always had an aptitude for stealing show in supporting roles in movies with limited screen time. Even when he’s had a minor role with short screen time, Clarke has a strong talent for leaving a powerful impression. A star showing powerful commitment to craft, Clarke has become a commemorated actor in entertainment. Through his abilities to portray strong characters that are easy for audiences to relate to, Clarke has become an actor which audiences value. Throughout his career, Clarke has appeared in many movies that are worth talking about without a doubt.

I’m a big fan of Clarke and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “First Man” is my certain favourite. Released in 2018, Damien Chazelle’s movie honoured the life of the famous astronaut Neil Armstrong. Packed with gorgeous production-design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best space films ever made. At the centre of if all is a phenomenal performance by Jason Clarke, who embodies an astronaut embarking on a painful journey. Ultimately, what makes “First Man” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies which are set in space, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of NASA to appreciate it. A engrossing masterpiece about the first man to land on the moon, there are countless strong reasons why “First Man” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.

Based on real events, “First Man” tells the true story about the first man to land on the moon. Ryan Gosling portrays Neil Armstrong, a strong astronaut seeking success. Armstrong always had the lifelong love for travelling to the moon. Assisted by caring wife Janet (Felicity Jones), Armstrong embarks on a discover to discover the moon. However, Armstrong’s hopes to be a famous astronaut are threatened by accidents putting life in danger. Faced with a dilemma, Armstrong questions whether it’s possible to achieve dreams. As he starts to face tough obstacles, Armstrong questions whether he can truly recover from traumatic accidents occurring in space.

Damien Chazelle is a newcomer towards the stories. Before he has made “First Man”, the filmmaker was known for making movies in the musical genre. His award-winning musical “Whiplash” offered a captivating depiction of a jazz teacher guiding a drummer to accomplish success. With “First Man”, however; Chazelle created his first biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of an astronaut that was the first man to walk on the moon, but he succeeded. Visually, the movie is a bold feast for the eyes which is as stunning as the painful space missions Neil Armstrong seeks to organize. Evoking Ron Howard’s “Apollo 13”, Chazelle effectively uses handheld camera to capture an astronaut embarking on a journey to discover the dangerous reaches of space. For instance, handheld camera enhances the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Neil embarks on a journey to travel to space in a shaking space shuttle. Through captivating handheld camerawork, Chazelle captures the hardships astronauts go through. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique to use in films. As Kathyrn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” claimed, handheld camerawork elevates films about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works really well in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Chazelle captures the hardships astronauts travelling across outer reaches of space are facing.

Another admirable aspect of “First Man” that merits appreciation is the sound design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Chazelle effectively uses immersive sound design to capture e lives of astronauts facing a decline. Inspired by Alfonso Cauron’s “Gravity”, Chazelle uses strong sound design to capture the lives of astronauts suspended in gravity facing crash tragedies. For instance, diegetic sounds elevate the plane crash scene. During this unforgettable scene, Neil becomes the victim of a tragic flight crash which causes catastrophe. Through ingenious sound design, Chazelle captures tense hardships astronauts embarking on dangerous missions go through. Sound-design is a complex technique to use in films. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” demonstrated, sound-design elevates historic movies about bomb inventors. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Justin Hurwitz’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden astronauts bear. Through phenomenal production, Chazelle recreates a space mission.

Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “First Man” is a captivating historical biopic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully employs silence to capture tensions of astronauts that embark upon a dangerous mission. Chazelle’s finest screenwriting strength is using sequences of silence to capture an astronaut that faced a tragic experience. Throughout the film, Neil Armstrong often grows silent when his space missions don’t go according to plan causing resentment. For instance, the silence elevates the crash deaths scene. During this heartfelt scene, Neil is heartbroken growing silent after he discovers heartbreaking death of his long-time companion. One appreciates sequences of silence capturing the lives of astronauts that face a traumatic experience. Silence isn’t an easy technique to employ in movies. As Matt Reeves’ “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” did suggest clearly, silence elevates blockbusters about chimpanzees. Nevertheless, it worked extremely well in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Chazelle honours a one of a kind astronaut that forever changed the way space is seen today.

One appreciates phenomenal performances.

Ryan Gosling delivers one of his finest career performances as Neil Armstrong. Gosling first achieved appreciations for playing heroes of romantic dramas. With “First Man”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a renowned astronaut that changed the way space is seen today, but Gosling pulls it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and vulnerable in his most iconic role. Gosling has always had an aptitude for conveying bold emotions through expressions without saying words, and “First Man” showcased his finest strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a legendary astronaut embarking on a mission. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.

Jason Clarke is captivating as a committed NASA director that is determined to ensure space missions leave a lasting mark. While Gosling gets the showier role, Clarke is also excellent as a commemorated NASA supervisor that faces a heavy emotional toll. Clarke often excels at playing anxious characters which are under intense pressure, and “First Man” exhibited his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s advising Neil Armstrong on how to prepare for space missions or grieving loss of comrades which are heartbreaking, Clarke uses strong body language to create a commemorated astronaut that’s truly compelling. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most underrated actors working in the industry today.

The final, most notable standout in the cast is Claire Foy. As Neil Armstrong’s concerned wife, she brings heartbreaking emotion to the film.

Finally, “First Man” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of astronauts with a plan. Unlike most movies about space missions, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses universal topics including ambition, mental health and friendships that would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fully familiar with the history of NASA to appreciate the movie. It delivers a strong message about the importance of finding one’s identity which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “First Man” is one of those rare movies about space everyone would adore.

Fans of Jason Clarke will definitely appreciate “First Man” and so will movie-goers that seek engaging entertainment. A spectacular space biopic, if honours a fantastic actor which has built a legacy that’s iconic.

Nearly 60 years after Neil Armstrong forever changed the world by becoming the first man to walk on the moon in space achieving a historic feat that’s groundbreaking, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters that are compelling in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.

5/5 stars