Focusing on the relationship between a marketing specialist and the NASA director in charge of the Apollo 11 launch, our JP has his thoughts on “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Fly Me to the Moon
(Sony Pictures Releasing)
- Directed by Greg Berlanti
- Screenplay by Rose Gilroy
- Story by Bill Kirstein, Keenan Flynn
- Produced by Jonathan Lia, Scarlett Johansson, Keenan Flynn, Sarah Schechter
- Starring Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Ray Romano, Woody Harrelson
Studio Synopsis:
Starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, FLY ME TO THE MOON is a sharp, stylish comedy-drama set against the high-stakes backdrop of NASA’s historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Brought in to fix NASA’s public image, sparks fly in all directions as marketing maven Kelly Jones (Johansson) wreaks havoc on launch director Cole Davis’s (Tatum) already difficult task. When the White House deems the mission too important to fail, Jones is directed to stage a fake moon landing as back-up and the countdown truly begins…
JP.’s Take:
Not being a big fan of rom-coms in general, I found myself drawn to “Fly Me to the Moon” mainly for the pairing of Channing Tatum and Scarlet Johansson.
I didn’t expect it to be this quirky, yet charming mixed bag of ideas. Set in an alternate late 1960s, this fictitious period piece serves as the backdrop for the great “Space Race,” an off-kilter romance and a budding caper all in one. As it turns out, this is more than just a simple romantic comedy: we’re first led down the path of Kelly’s (Johansson) journey as the executive of an ad agency. During the moments when the Vietnam War was raging and the US and Soviet Union competed to put the first man on the moon, Kelly was floating along as the advertising queen of New York. With NASA’s Apollo program in jeopardy, launch director Cole Davis’ (Tatum) career hangs in the balance, while the program is in dire need of a successful mission and funding.
Director Greg Berlanti with writers Rose Gilroy, Bill Kirstein, and Keenan Flynn set up a nicely paced romp through the events that align Kelly and Cole into this seemingly simmering romance in question. The light romance that sparks between Cole and Kelly doesn’t come to fruition until the second half of the film, yet the spunky squabbles and banter between the two rely on their glowing chemistry. Kelly’s backstory also becomes the subplot which builds on its mystery.
Each set piece is bolstered with authentic NASA footage, TV ads, and news programs, while shedding light on this country’s most defining moments. Chart-topping hits from artists of the time become the soundtrack throughout and prominent automobiles fill the parking lots of diners, homes, and NASA. The costuming is also on point as Johansson and Tatum look as though they’re carved right out of the period.
Berlanti (TV’s “Arrow” and “Arrowverse” series) and award-winning cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (“Pirates of the Caribbean” film series) create a sense of wonder when setting up NASA’s rise to prominence. Wide and open shots of NASA’s facilities give viewers a grand tour of the place, as though we were there.
Performances from the star-studded cast are heartfelt and genuine. Joining Johansson, who is also one of the producers of his film, and Tatum are Woody Harrelson as the agreeable villain as FBI agent Moe Berkus, and Ray Romano, the fatherly NASA staffer Henry Smalls.
Colin Woodell, Christen Zuber, and Nick Dillenburg are dead ringers for famed astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong, respectively. Christian Clemenson as press agent Walter, Gene Jones as Senator Hopp, Joe Chrest as Senator Vanning, Stephanie Kurtzuba as Jolene Vanning, Colin Jost as Senator Cook, and Peter Jacobson as Chuck Meadows round out this playful cast.
I admit “Fly Me to the Moon” is an odd-ball mysterious romantic comedy proved surprisingly spry and amusing. Something I’d watch just on a whim whether on the big screen or small.
Official Site: Fly Me to the Moon