First Man
First Man

First Man

2018Movie141 minEnglish

A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

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Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes87%
Metacritic84
Google Users85%
Director: Damien ChazelleGenres: Biographical, Drama, History, Action, Adventure

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the life of Neil Armstrong, the commander of the Apollo 11 mission and the first person to walk on the Moon. It focuses on the immense personal sacrifices and harrowing dangers faced by Armstrong and the nation during the years leading up to the historic July 1969 mission. The story explores the immense pressure, the technological challenges, and the emotional toll on Armstrong and his family as humanity reached for the stars.

Critical Reception

First Man received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its immersive and visceral portrayal of the space race, its historical accuracy, and Ryan Gosling's nuanced performance. While some critics debated the film's pacing and focus on the personal toll over triumphalism, the consensus praised its technical achievements and its unique perspective on a monumental event.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense and realistic depiction of space travel and the Apollo 11 mission.
  • Ryan Gosling's performance as Neil Armstrong was widely lauded for its quiet intensity and emotional depth.
  • The film's focus on the personal cost and psychological toll of the space race offered a unique and compelling perspective.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's realistic and grounded approach to the moon landing, highlighting the intense atmosphere and strong performances. Many found it to be a moving and compelling portrayal of a historic achievement and the sacrifices involved.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, winning for Best Visual Effects. Also received nominations for Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA Awards.

Fun Fact

To achieve the authentic, hand-held, and often disorienting camera work that reflects the claustrophobia and intensity of space travel, director Damien Chazelle shot nearly the entire film on 16mm and 35mm film, often using IMAX cameras for key sequences.

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TMDB Reviews

5 reviews
AstroNoud

AstroNoud

Showing us the physical and emotional challenges Armstrong had to endure, the first half is already impressive, but the exciting landing scene and stunning moon scenes near the ending make ‘First Man’ a true and rare experience. 9/10
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

**_Aesthetically laudable, emotionally vapid_** > _I am comfortable with my level of public discourse._ - Neil Armstrong declining to be interviewed for "Armstrong's Code" (Kathy Sawyer); _The Washington Post_ (July 11, 1999) More ...
Gimly

Gimly

Every time that someone's on a spacecraft, I was into _First Man_. It might genuinely be the first time I didn't hate scenes shot with continual use of shaky cam, which is noteworthy. But by and large _First Man_ was not for me, biopics oft...
YuanTian

YuanTian

A really encouraging film for a historic event. The music and silence are playing so well with each other. I am glad that the directors and actors did not waste a wonderful story. Though I always think the leading actor's appearance is sign...
Gill-Man

Gill-Man

Damien Chazelle has already proven himself to be one of the freshest new directors of the decade so far. Even after delivering the hard-hitting Whiplash and the emotionally-wrecking and whimsical La La Land, he still knows how to surprise f...