Analyzing a Good and/or Important Movie
Hidden Figures
ENG 4U
Mr. Dobson
Madeline Hopkins
Monday, September 25, 2017
Hidden Figures is a good and important movie that exemplifies the capabilities of women, and men of all colours by breaking racial, male, and female stereotypes that have been problematic for decades. Throughout the movie, as we follow the three protagonists, in pursuit of gender, as well as, racial equality, numerous stereotypes are challenged and broken for the better. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, are three mathematicians who work at NASA in the 1960’s as “human computers”. The film, Hidden Figures, is based on true events, which occurred to these three women during their actual time of employment at NASA. Directed by Theodore Melfi, and released on January 6, 2017, the film received great reviews. With over seventy-five award nominations, the film won thirty-seven awards. Some of these awards include: the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Fight Against the System, the 2017 BET Award for Best Movie, and the 2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. Hidden Figures is an inspiring movie which follows Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary as they overcome racism, and gender discrimination to play key roles in the NASA Friendship 7 launch. Furthermore, Hidden Figures challenges and breaks many problematic, stereotypical images of race, women, and men, making it an good, and important movie for all audiences (IMDb.com.Hidden Figures).
Hidden Figures is a good and important movie because it challenges stereotypical, problematic images of race in today’s society, and the past. Racism, and the way the people of colour and/or authenticity are seen has been an issue for centuries, and still exists today. A stereotypical, problematic image of race, that is often seen in today’s society, is that those who have coloured skin are often seen as criminals. People of colour are often seen as violent, untrusting, and law breaking individuals. Hidden Figures, does a wonderful job of breaking this stereotype right at the beginning of the film. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are all on their way to work in Dorothy’s car when it breaks down. While on the side of the road trying to fix it, a police officer comes along and stops to see what is the matter. Stereotypically, the police officer would have assumed that the three black women had perhaps stolen the car, or were guilty of more than a broken down car. Instead, this officer asks the women where they work. After all three explain that they work at NASA as computers, and they manage to restart the vehicle, he says, “least I can do is give y’all an escort. I would imagine you three would be running late to work!” (Hidden Figures.2017.6:25). The three women, in dismay, proceed to tail the police car all the way to work. While still in the c...
