Keep failing and have to dust yourself off again and again? Feeling like you take two steps forward only to take fives steps back? How about feeling like it’s just not fair? Need some inspiration to breakthrough your almighty fight? With fear of sounding like an infomercial, then this is the movie for you!

Hidden Figures is the play on words title of the inspiring true story of three incredibly bright and sassy heroes of American history, who took a massive part in a well known American triumph, despite not being very well known at all themselves. Their story has never really been told until now, thanks to Theodore Melfi. It’s not a great story only because they are women trying to break through a tough industry in an era where women were help back from doing a lot, and were only considered good enough to be housewives, but because they were three African American women who achieved something that for so many was too far fetch to even attempt.

Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) is a mathematical genius who was able to calculate the trajectories to assist American’s first man in space, John Glenn (Glen Powell), to safely orbit and re-enter into Earth’s atmosphere. Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) is a computer genius who helps power up and control the new technology that enters NASA. Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) has the wits and capabilities of an engineer, but considering the times, it is hard enough being a woman who wants to be an engineer, let alone an African American woman who wants to become an engineer. The three women bounce off each other tremendously and it is such a delight to watch them together in the one room. It’s easy to see a connection with each character which can remind a person of their own hardships and tribulations. The struggle is real and easy to feel, as well as their determination and never-give-up attitudes.

The film is a slow and steady winner. It never peaks and it never changes pace, but that is never a distraction. It’s all about character progression and nothing more. Slow and steady wins the race, that’s for sure.

Katherine is an overly intelligent woman with a major role in getting Glenn into space and back to Earth. She is bossed by Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) who questions her whereabouts when she goes missing for almost 40 minutes at a time. This is because she is forced to use the only ‘coloured’ bathroom half a mile away. This leads to one particular scene which is the most memorable. Henson’s performance while completely venting her frustration about the bathroom situation is outstanding. She has stepped it up. Henson is fantastic and fierce as Cookie on Empire. She has gained a whole new level of respect playing in this dramatic role, especially after that unforgettable scene. Harrison is hardly judgmental of Katherine and Costner plays him as one who is ignorant to the prejudices of the time. Adding more insult to injury, Katherine is challenged by Paul Stafford (Jim Parsons). Information she is required to make those vital measurements and equations are constantly hidden from her. But, she fights for her right to have all the information she needs to compile the accurate results.
Dorothy is the one that gets the new technology, IBM working, but struggles with the idea of her colour being the reason why she cannot be promoted to the title and pay of a supervisor, though already doing the job. The bad news is always coming from Vivian Mitchell (Kirsten Dunst), an underplayed character, but still kind of there.
Mary has what it takes to be an engineer. During this era, it was unheard of for women to become engineer. What makes Mary’s struggle firmer is that she is also a black woman. Regardless, she does everything she needs to do to get what she deserves.

Though the focus is mostly around Katherine, we are still able to equally feel and watch each character’s struggle and determination as they are individually showcased. It is also great to see a film that leaves behind the female characters personal life, love interest and domestic duties. Though we see hints of the mothers and wives they are, the film mainly focuses on their professional life and how they achieved each of their goals. This is so important and massive triumph for a film with a leading lady. As a woman, it is empowering to watch.

Accompanied by an awesomely suitable soundtrack by Pharrell Williams, Hidden Figures is exactly the push everybody alike needs to be the person they wants to be, and by letting nothing hold them back. I’m inspired and you will be too. Steady, with no peak, but Hidden Figures is a 4 out of 5.