FIRST MAN (2018) ****

First Man follows the exploits of astronaut Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) as he overcomes personal tragedy to become the first man to walk on the moon.  After the death of his young daughter, he throws himself into his work, test piloting for the Gemini and Apollo space missions.  Through that, he tries to balance his personal life with his long-suffering wife (Claire Foy) who stands by her man, even though the pressures of his job and his emotionally distant demeanor cause them to quarrel. 

Gosling is excellent as Armstrong.  He plays Neil as tight-lipped, and not very good when it comes to talking about his feelings.  His determination and drive make him compelling, and when he does let his guard down a little, it really registers.  Foy is Gosling’s match as his dutiful wife who also buttons down her emotions because it’s expected of her.  That doesn’t mean she isn’t afraid to speak up and take Neil to school when she’s fed up with his shit. 

Director Damien Chazelle uses a mostly handheld style with a film stock that’s bathed in heavy grain, which gives the movie a documentary feel.  It often looks like you’re watching something from that era and not a biopic from the 21st century.  Having actors like Kyle Chandler and Jason Clarke, who look like they stepped out of a ‘60s time capsule, also helps set the mood. 

Speaking of capsules, the space exploration scenes are downright harrowing too.  Most movies about space show the rockets lifting off from the outside, but for much of the film, Chazelle keeps the camera firmly inside the capsule so you can experience what Armstrong and the other astronauts felt on takeoff.  (The standard majestic lift-off scene is saved for the fateful Apollo 11 mission.)  The camerawork is cramped and claustrophobic inside the cockpit and the whole thing feels like it could shake apart at any second.  (I especially liked the close-ups of various bolts and screws inside the cockpit which showcase all the ways it could potentially go to pieces.)  You don’t feel a sense of awe during these sequences, but rather a sense of, “oh shit”.

First Man reunites Gosling and Chazelle who had previously collaborated on La La Land.  I wasn’t a fan of that flick, but I found this one to be genuinely moving and gripping throughout.  The moonwalk scene is quite thrilling too, even when you already know the outcome. 

Overall, you’re bound to enjoy First Man to the moon and back.