by Rosa Parra.
Historical accuracies are always nebulous because stories passed down are often embellished or not thoroughly told. The moon landing is no exception and “Fly Me to the Moon” plays with that concept. Directed by Greg Berlanti, the film stars Scarlett Johansson, who also serves as a producer, Channing Tatum, Ray Romano, Jim Rash, Woody Harrelson and Anna Garcia. It follows the events leading to Apollo 11’s journey to the moon landing and the strategy of creating a fake moon landing as a backup plan.
“…Tatum is equally likable, and his chemistry with Johansson is palpable.”
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting walking into this screening. Considering the subject, I anticipated an entirely dramatic take on the moon landing. However, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced a lighter take with comedic undertones anchored by solid performances. Johansson is a force as Kelly. Her charisma and personality instantly draw you to her character, and her moments of vulnerability make her character relatable and sympathetic. Tatum is equally likable, and his chemistry with Johansson is palpable. Romano stood out for me while a small feline nearly stole the show.
“The time period is well represented with lavish costumes and production design. The soundtrack is also enjoyable with one particular song (hint…the title of the film) making a touché appearance in the movie.”
The script is strong enough to keep me invested and the pacing flows too, considering its 131-minute runtime. In addition to the performances, the story also kept me engaged. I’ve seen numerous movies (both fiction and non-fiction) about the moon landing, and this film managed to keep me entertained despite knowing the outcome. Of course, the creation of faking the moon landing was a big reason why but by also diving into the marketing and its psychological impact on society gave this story a level of freshness I wasn’t expecting.
The cat was also a delightful surprise. It appears throughout the film as the typical representation of bad luck, but it may also symbolize a version of Moe (Harrelson), the government agent who pitches the idea to do the fake moon landing. Just like the black cat, Moe can be mysterious and appears in the least expected moments.
“Johansson is a force as Kelly. Her charisma and personality instantly draw you to her character, and her moments of vulnerability make her character relatable and sympathetic.”
The time period is well represented with lavish costumes and production design. The soundtrack is also enjoyable with one particular song (hint…the title of the film) making a touché appearance in the movie.
Overall, “Fly Me to the Moon” is a delightfully charming, comedic and engaging film about an iconic historical event. Strong performances layered with enticing subplots make this film a good time.
4/5