Hidden Figures

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Goble Johnson, mathematician
• Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, mathematician and supervisor
• Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson, mathematician and engineer
• Kevin Costner as Al Harrison, director of the Space Task Group (STG)
• Kirsten Dunst as Vivian Mitchell, supervisor
• Jim Parsons as Paul Stafford, head engineer in STG
• Mahershala Ali as Jim Johnson, military officer who romances and eventually marries Katherine
• Aldis Hodge as Levi Jackson
• Glen Powell as John Glenn, astronaut
• Kimberly Quinn as Ruth
• Olek Krupa as Karl Zielinski, engineer (a fictionalized version of Kazimierz Czarnecki, who encourages Mary Jackson)
• Saniyya Sidney as Constance Johnson
• Lidya Jewett as young Katherine Coleman (Katherine Goble Johnson)

Storyline:

Set in the early 1960s, the film follows Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson as they overcome racial and gender barriers to contribute significantly to NASA’s success in launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Their work is crucial in ensuring the mission’s success, showcasing their intelligence, resilience, and the challenges they faced in a segregated workplace.

About Movie:

Hidden Figures is an American biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi and co-written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder. The film is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly and tells the inspiring true story of three African-American women mathematicians—Katherine Goble Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (played by Janelle Monáe)—who worked at NASA during the Space Race.

Production Details

Principal photography began in March 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia, and wrapped up in May 2016. The film was released initially in a limited capacity on December 25, 2016, before expanding to a wider release on January 6, 2017.

Reception

Hidden Figures received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Henson, Spencer, and Monáe, as well as its writing, direction, cinematography, emotional tone, and historical accuracy. However, some critics noted concerns regarding its portrayal of a “white savior” narrative. The film was a commercial success, grossing approximately $236 million worldwide against a production budget of $25 million, making it one of the most profitable films of 2016.

Awards and Legacy

The film was recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2016 and received several award nominations, including three at the 89th Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (for Spencer), and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.Hidden Figures has since been celebrated for its powerful storytelling and its role in highlighting the contributions of African-American women to science and technology, inspiring future generations.

Budget & Box Office Collection: