Movie Review | Hidden Figures [2017]

'Genius has no race. Strength has no gender. Courage has no limit.'

HIDDEN FIGURES tells the remarkable story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson, three African-American women employed by NASA as human computers. They were the brains behind the launch of John Glenn into orbit during the Space Race with Russia from 1961-1962.

Even though the Maths and Analytical Geometry in the movie were way beyond my capabilities, I could not help being amazed at the beauty and wonder of the numbers and the minds of these three women, persevering and serving amid the racial injustice they faced during that time in American History. ​ There are two stories intertwined: the Space race story and the human story of prejudice and discrimination. The latter is portrayed gently, honestly and with poignant humour through the three portraits and personalities of Dorothy, Mary and Katherine, who work with the status quo to determinedly and respectfully make their voices heard.

Mary's husband, Levi, says, 'Freedom is never granted to the oppressed. It's got to be demanded. Taken.' Mary responds, 'There's more than one way to achieve something.'

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