Hidden Figures is a film set in the 1960s, during the space race in which America competed with Russia on the first man in space, and eventually, the first man on the moon. However, the race is put into the background as it focuses more on the treatment of African-Americans during that period, and how three African-Americans stood out and contributed so much as NASA. It can be confronting, and eye-opening, on how African-Americans, and woman, were treated during that period. With separated bathrooms, facilities and the impossibility of a career, it can be painful to watch the unfairness that happened. The film focuses more on Katherine Goble, who transfers to the Space Task Group that is responsible for the calculations of the orbits and landing points. She faces high walls comprised of work colleagues who do not see her as equal, and trying to diminish her intellect. There is Dorothy Vaughan who, despite performing the work of a supervisor, cannot actually be promoted to that title. At the same time, she and her team is in danger of being made obsolete thanks to the introduction of computers. Finally, Mary Jackson is overcoming the barriers involved to become an engineer, although her story has the least amount of focus put onto it. Due to the subject matter, it can feel overpowering at times with its messages. However, you feel that their success is well-deserved and hard fought. Hidden Figures has a strong story that tackles a sensitive subject matter while at the same time, being an enjoyable film.
