First Man
Ryan Gosling is Neil Armstrong in this biopic written by Josh Singer (Spotlight) and directed by Damien Chazelle (La La Land), both Oscar-winners.
The film, based on the official biography by James R. Hansen, follows the life of Armstrong from 1961 through to 1969, chronicling NASA's intense journey to land a man on the moon.
- Director:
- Damien Chazelle ('Whiplash', 'La La Land')
- Writer:
- Josh Singer
- Cast:
- Ryan GoslingClaire FoyKyle ChandlerCorey StollJason ClarkeJon BernthalPablo SchreiberBrian d'Arcy James
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Aaron Yap
flicksIt happened sooner than expected: at the tender age of 33 years old, Oscar golden boy Damien Chazelle decided it was time to make his stodgy, pedestrian Clint Eastwood-in-twilight biopic. With Whiplash and La La Land, Chazelle brought a distinctive brio to his tales of protagonists incurring sacrifices in the pursuit of greater ambition. First Man too, is a variant of this theme, sensitive, predominantly, to the personal collateral damage of its characters above all else.
Bio-Pic Needed To Dive Deeper
Technically, amazing. When it comes to crafting an engaging story I was left bored and uninterested, I really wanted to care but I was too bust thinking about what I was doing afterwards rather than the actual movie. Claire Foy steals the show but other then that its not really worth the $18
Among the best biopics of recent years
From the first moment to the last, this film is an utter triumph. Damien Chazelle's understated approach to one of history's greatest moments deserves the highest praise. Impeccable acting, fantastic cinematography, mindblowing sound mixing and editing, this film will be deservedly recognized at the upcoming awards season. On every level, there is not a...
Maybe a bit long
Don't get me wrong, there are some great performances (and an outstanding one by Claire Foye). But at the end of the day, I did feel the movie was about 20-30 minutes too long. Too many long shots ... ... but hey, what do I know. Go and make up your own mind; I certainly don't regret seeing this movie.
Variety
pressAfter seeing First Man, it’s doubtful you’ll think about space flight, or Armstrong’s historic walk, in quite the same way.
Vanity Fair
pressAll that gloom gradually smothers the film, with each shot of Armstrong staring, pained, at the moon (we get it; that's where he's going) further diluting the movie's pull.
Time Out
pressThrilling when it escapes the gravity of drab living rooms and offices, First Man does an admirable job of complexifying a well-told tale.
The Times
pressThe film reconstitutes our taciturn hero as a man riven with grief after the death of his daughter...It's a bold move and seems to inform Gosling's every decision as an actor.
The Telegraph
pressChazelle has always specialised in virtuoso endings, and his sure hand and sharp eye brings this ambitious character study smoothly into land.
The Guardian
pressIt is a movie packed with wonderful vehemence and rapture: it has a yearning to do justice to this existential adventure and to the head-spinning experience of looking back on Earth from another planet.
The Australian
pressThe performances by Gosling - in a difficult, interior role - and Foy are exemplary.
Stuff
pressFirst Man is the opposite of triumphalist, but an absolute triumph from beginning to end.
Los Angeles Times
pressWhatever its missteps, "First Man" represents a principled attempt to reconsider what heroism looks and sounds like, to think beyond the reductive rah-rah parameters that have led so many to confuse jingoism with art.
Little White Lies
pressThis is a confident but pretty bland technical exercise... The overall result is an authentic, visually impressive viewing experience that doesn't quite land.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThis sober, contemplative picture has emotional involvement, visceral tension, and yes, even suspense, in addition to stunning technical craft.
Herald Sun
pressThough its bravely unorthodox visual style and skeletal storytelling structure are sure to divide viewers in months to come, First Man is still undoubtedly one of the best and most significant movie releases of 2018.
Empire Magazine
pressAstonishing. The definitive take on a monumental moment in history - without ever losing sight of the man underneath the visor.
Flicks, Aaron Yap
flicksIt happened sooner than expected: at the tender age of 33 years old, Oscar golden boy Damien Chazelle decided it was time to make his stodgy, pedestrian Clint Eastwood-in-twilight biopic. With Whiplash and La La Land, Chazelle brought a distinctive brio to his tales of protagonists incurring sacrifices in the pursuit of greater ambition. First Man too, is a variant of this theme, sensitive, predominantly, to the personal collateral damage of its characters above all else.
Variety
pressAfter seeing First Man, it’s doubtful you’ll think about space flight, or Armstrong’s historic walk, in quite the same way.
Vanity Fair
pressAll that gloom gradually smothers the film, with each shot of Armstrong staring, pained, at the moon (we get it; that's where he's going) further diluting the movie's pull.
Time Out
pressThrilling when it escapes the gravity of drab living rooms and offices, First Man does an admirable job of complexifying a well-told tale.
The Times
pressThe film reconstitutes our taciturn hero as a man riven with grief after the death of his daughter...It's a bold move and seems to inform Gosling's every decision as an actor.
The Telegraph
pressChazelle has always specialised in virtuoso endings, and his sure hand and sharp eye brings this ambitious character study smoothly into land.
The Guardian
pressIt is a movie packed with wonderful vehemence and rapture: it has a yearning to do justice to this existential adventure and to the head-spinning experience of looking back on Earth from another planet.
The Australian
pressThe performances by Gosling - in a difficult, interior role - and Foy are exemplary.
Stuff
pressFirst Man is the opposite of triumphalist, but an absolute triumph from beginning to end.
Los Angeles Times
pressWhatever its missteps, "First Man" represents a principled attempt to reconsider what heroism looks and sounds like, to think beyond the reductive rah-rah parameters that have led so many to confuse jingoism with art.
Little White Lies
pressThis is a confident but pretty bland technical exercise... The overall result is an authentic, visually impressive viewing experience that doesn't quite land.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThis sober, contemplative picture has emotional involvement, visceral tension, and yes, even suspense, in addition to stunning technical craft.
Herald Sun
pressThough its bravely unorthodox visual style and skeletal storytelling structure are sure to divide viewers in months to come, First Man is still undoubtedly one of the best and most significant movie releases of 2018.
Empire Magazine
pressAstonishing. The definitive take on a monumental moment in history - without ever losing sight of the man underneath the visor.
Bio-Pic Needed To Dive Deeper
Technically, amazing. When it comes to crafting an engaging story I was left bored and uninterested, I really wanted to care but I was too bust thinking about what I was doing afterwards rather than the actual movie. Claire Foy steals the show but other then that its not really worth the $18
Among the best biopics of recent years
From the first moment to the last, this film is an utter triumph. Damien Chazelle's understated approach to one of history's greatest moments deserves the highest praise. Impeccable acting, fantastic cinematography, mindblowing sound mixing and editing, this film will be deservedly recognized at the upcoming awards season. On every level, there is not a...
Maybe a bit long
Don't get me wrong, there are some great performances (and an outstanding one by Claire Foye). But at the end of the day, I did feel the movie was about 20-30 minutes too long. Too many long shots ... ... but hey, what do I know. Go and make up your own mind; I certainly don't regret seeing this movie.
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