Director: Damien Chazelle
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Runtime: 141 Minutes
Main Cast: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Patrick Fugit, Christopher Abbott, Olivia Hamilton, Ciarán Hinds, Pablo Schreiber
Plot: The real-life story behind Neil Armstrong, and how he found himself leading the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the moon on 20th July 1969.
My Thoughts: Not gonna lie, I had to really push myself to go and see First Man. It had great reviews, it’s directed by the amazing Damien Chazelle, it stars Ryan Gosling, it’s in the running for the Oscars – it was ticking so many boxes for me. But it’s a long movie, and it’s a subject I honestly don’t have much interest in. As usual, I’m really glad I went in the end!
First Man probably takes 3rd place in Damien Chazelle’s movies for me, but it’s still a fantastic movie. I didn’t expect it to have so many ‘space-y’ moments, and the opening in particular quite literally took my breath away. Then you have the heartbreaking family moments that had me openly sobbing in the middle of the room – not embarrassing at all. So – it almost takes the dramatic elements of Whiplash (2014) and the heart-crushing elements of La La Land (2016).
Ryan Gosling was great throughout in a calm, and fairly quiet role, with a much bigger personality bubbling on the surface. I don’t know Neil Armstrong at all well enough to know how well Gosling matches up, but still. Claire Foy didn’t get as many moments as I thought she would, but the scene where she tells Neil to explain to his kids that there’s a chance he won’t survive the mission was powerful as hell.
Best Bit: No surprises here, but the best moment was watching Neil first walk on the moon. Especially when you find out what he brought with him…I felt it coming and I was a wreck! A moment that I wish I’d been able to witness in IMAX to be honest.
Worst Bit: Not a ‘bit’ in particular, but it felt like the first hour or so raced by, and then the pacing fell to a snail pace, which really doesn’t help when the movie is 20 minutes too long to begin with!
Fun Trivia: In the breakfast scene just before Apollo 11 launched, the artist sketching Armstrong is Chris Calle, son of the NASA artist Paul Calle. Chris was playing his father who actually sketched the crew that morning.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 wooden-beaded bracelets…don’t make me explain why…*sobs*.
Often Off Topic 
So glad to see you liked it. I really loved this movie even more than I ever expected to. My second viewing was on the IMAX screen…wow.
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Ahh I’m jealous you went to see it in IMAX! I never even considered it but after watching it…yeah I can only imagine.
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Sounds great–I’ll have to wait for the DVD though–it’s not showing around here anymore, and I want to know about the bracelets!
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It’s a long movie (and feels it too) so save it for a night you’re not feeling tired already! I can’t tell you about the bracelet…I’ll cry all over my keyboard…!
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I’m glad you liked it. I had a hard time with Chazelle’s direction. I’m with you that this is probably 3 out of 3 of his films for me too.
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It seems an odd subject for him to pick really – I’m so glad I watched it but I’m not sure it’s a movie I’ll rush to see again if that makes sense!
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I would have liked to see more of Claire Foy as well.
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Nice review! I wasn’t as crazy as I thought I was going to be because I’m a space nerd, but I loved Ryan. Also thought Claire was great in that scene – wish she was in it more. 🙂
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Ahh I’m sorry this one wasn’t as exciting as you’d hoped! I think the fact that I know almost nothing about Neil Armstrong helped me to enjoy the movie more.
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This looks like something I’ll see if I absolutely have nothing else to watch 🙂 I like Gosling in comedies but he just bores me so bad in dramas
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He might end up boring you to sleep in this one in that case! I think he did a great job but it’s a very understated performance for sure.
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I am shocked by your opinion, most of the reviews are very positive and encouraging. But hey very interesting point of view, you can check my review about this particular movie and other latest reviews of new released movies
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Which bit shocked you? I thought my own review was positive – I really enjoyed the movie!
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well you claimed you enjoyed it, but if you’re a fan of movies this review is considered not so positive. but anyways I liked your point of view don’ t get me wrong 🙂
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A 4/5 score is pretty darn positive in my books, but I see where you’re coming from. Sometimes it’s easier to pick at the small points rather than talk about the bigger, best parts!
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