Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum have a blast in this satiric political rom com looking back at the space race between the US and Russia in the 1960’s. Director Greg Berlanti adds just enough archival news actuality to keep it interesting along with Johansson and Tatum’s good chemistry. Woody Harrelson as the government villain pulling the strings adds just enough political spice to keep all on their toes.
This was supposed to go direct to streaming, but the feedback from testing focus groups was so positive, the studio decided to give this a theatrical release. The screenplay by Rose Gilroy, Keenan Flynn, and Bill Kirstein flows well with the addition of the news of of 1960’s.Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, along with the editing by Harry Jierjian creates an accurate portrayal of the era with extensive, well-placed use of historic intercuts. Use of well-known tunes of the time like Moon River and actuality footage from newscasters like Water Cronkite add authenticity to the sometimes whacky proceedings.
Cole Davis (Tatum) is launch director for Project Artemis, which is to put Neil Armstrong (Nick Dillenburg), Buzz Aldrin (Colin Woodell) and Michael Collins ( Christian Zuber) into space for the first landing on the moon. There are plenty of obstacles to overcome managing a fleet of old-style scientists in white shirts, with black ties and glasses working at Cape Canaveral. His right-hand is sad-sack, second banana, Henry Small (Ray Romano). Romano plays Cole’s close friend who understands, and adds some heart to what they’re up against. Cole also is very superstitious and constantly trying to catch the black cat running all over the launch complex.
But the biggest obstacle is the smart, savvy, well-heeled (literally) marketing maven, Kelly (Johansson). Moe Berkus (Harrelson), a “Special Advisor” to a President Nixon, who has coerced Kelly into making sure the optics are good for the White House as they secure funding votes from skeptical senators on Capitol Hill. He knows secrets from her past that make her easy picking to get his job done.
She then hires egomaniac film director Lance Vespertine (Jim Rash), to stage a perfect moon landing with actors in case the real event fails. Rash plays outrage
ous well. He’s flamboyant, unreasonable and always complaining when something goes wrong, never letting anyone forget that he gave up directing Valley of the Dolls for this! But it has to be done under the radar. Cole can’t know.
In the meantime, Kelly and Cole are getting to know each other. Kelly is also good at talking to Senators to get high profile commercial exposure for astronauts hawking products including everything from Rolex and Rice Krispies to Tang, with a cameo by Melissa McCarthy. There are some hilarious segments showing the finished products. If the US beats Russia, money will flow to the space program, make President Nixon, who is not winning points for his management of the Viet Nam War and his other political problems.
Cole is just trying to do his job. He was a supreme Korean War fighter pilot who chalked up 50+ combat missions. He never achieved his ambition of being an astronaut. He lives with the pain of being the chief of the launch that ended with the rocket burning up on the launchpad, killing three crewmen including space hero Gus Grissom. There is a poignant scene where Kelly is trying to locate Cole and finds him at the memorial for those who died. It is well directed by Berlanti with just enough sentiment and emotion by Channing and Johansson.
Despite the more than predictable romantic turn the story will take, Berlanti and the writers inject the right elements of screwball comedy and slapstick, (including that cat) that comes together on the night of the Moon Landing. With Woody Harrelson as the likable villain, and the backdrop of a time when Americans were unified cheering for the Red, White and Blue, it’s Johansson and Tatum who create the sparks and light up this rocket.
Universal Pictures 2 hours 12 minutes PG-13
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