Is "First Man" the Most Realistic Space Odyssey on Screen?

In an age where the pursuit of ultimate truths has waned, shifting from ontology to epistemology, and where religion no longer offers a unified certainty, nor science confidently answers whether the world can be known, the foundations upon which individuals build their lives differ greatly. The focus has shifted from commonality to the political sphere, where concepts like "noble simplicity" and "stately grandeur" serve as aesthetic benchmarks for certain groups that dominate the conversation.

What universally evokes deep emotions and is esteemed by everyone as romantic and profoundly beautiful in today's world? It is the conquest of Mount Everest and the landing on the moon. The former epitomizes an almost recklessly adventurous spirit of individuals, while the latter represents humanity's collective spirit of exploration, marking one of the most remarkable events of recent history: Apollo 11's moon landing on July 20, 1969, with Neil Armstrong leaving the first human footprint on the lunar surface.

Coincidentally, "First Man," a biographical film about Armstrong, had its world premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival. This adaptation of the eponymous biography, "First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong," by James Robert Hanson, received a nomination for the festival's top honor, the Golden Lion award.

"First Man" employs a documentary-style approach, featuring hand-held camerawork to vividly portray the life of Neil Armstrong, one of the most legendary figures of the past half-century. Rather than crafting a hero's biography, the film reconstructs Armstrong as an ordinary person – someone the public had almost forgotten.

The movie delves into a pivotal phase of Armstrong's life, focusing on his most significant achievements as an astronaut. It offers a thrilling opening scene as Armstrong, still a test pilot and not yet an astronaut, operates the North American X-15 rocket plane, hurtling beyond Earth's atmosphere. This initial sequence, though starting in the confines of a cockpit, broadens the scope of "First Man."

Different from the typical depiction of idealized heroes, "First Man" showcases the pain and fear etched across Armstrong's face during these precarious moments of his life.

The use of shaky camera movements, rapid acceleration, and ascent characterize the mission, which wasn't officially part of Armstrong's astronaut career. This approach sets the film's realistic style and intense atmosphere.

"First Man" excels in realism, not only through its naturalistic handheld camerawork but also in its faithfulness to historical accuracy. The film's sense of nostalgia and authenticity outshines its technological aspects.

Armstrong's first major mission involved piloting Gemini 8, along with David Scott, to successfully dock two spacecraft in Earth's orbit. However, shortly after the docking, they encountered a severe malfunction, marking the first significant space emergency in American history. Armstrong quickly determined that the issue lay with Gemini 8 and initiated the backup thrusters, ultimately preventing a disaster and returning safely to Earth. This accident, though less famous than later events like Apollo 13, underscored Armstrong's quick thinking and averted potential tragedy.

The second and most iconic task was Apollo 11's moon landing. The significance of Armstrong's famous quote, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," requires no explanation. As Armstrong left humanity's first footprint on the moon, he perfectly encapsulated the moment.

"First Man" does not intend to emphasize humanity's insignificance in space. When Armstrong stands on the moon, gazes around, and the camera pans, there is no music, only the crackling radio transmissions and complete silence. In the shadows, there is absolute darkness. Armstrong, at that moment, observes Earth, shaped like a crescent. In this instant, the true meaning of "one giant leap for mankind" and Armstrong's greatness become as clear as the empty space between Earth and the moon.

"First Man" captures a segment of Armstrong's life, not just his career as an astronaut. What sets this biographical film apart is its effort to interweave Armstrong's personal experiences with his space exploration endeavors. Even with a highly objective visual style, the narrative underscores the film's focus on Armstrong as an ordinary person rather than a hero.

The movie opens with Armstrong's X-15 test flight, and immediately following this harrowing sequence, we witness Armstrong's two-year-old daughter, Karen, undergoing X-ray treatment for her brain tumor. "First Man" portrays Armstrong's life journey, beginning with his identity as a test pilot and also as a father who lost his daughter to an early death.

In an interview for the Gemini program, an interviewer inquired, "Will the death of your daughter have an impact on your work?" Armstrong replied, "I suppose you could say it might have an influence." Just as the film bravely portrays Armstrong's fears, it also explores his life as an ordinary father and husband amidst these turbulent periods.

True heroism lies not in the absence of fear but in carrying out actions that others dare not attempt, even in the face of fear. "First Man" tenderly portrays Armstrong as a common man, emphasizing his humanity, and does so more earnestly than traditional biopics that glorify sacrifice and national heroes.

"First Man" is Damien Chazelle's fourth feature film. Born in 1985, Chazelle is undoubtedly a director of exceptional talent. His three previous films, "Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench," "Whiplash," and "La La Land," earned a total of 19 Oscar nominations, with "La La Land" alone winning seven Academy Awards.

While Chazelle's three prior films revolve around jazz music, each offering a distinct flavor from black-and-white vintage settings to vibrant color and a focus on jazz performance, "First Man" stands apart. The formidable challenge of creating a biographical film about an American hero seems notably more significant. The film's demands on set design, visual effects, historical accuracy, and interviews with related individuals are unparalleled. Nevertheless, the differences are not as significant.

"First Man" continues to prioritize its focus on humanity. Chazelle's biographical film exhibits a sobering tone, emphasizing the director's objective approach. Just as he portrayed the drummer's agony in his previous work, he captures Armstrong's suffering in "First Man."

This biographical film, undoubtedly deserving of legendary status, deliberately steers clear of emphasizing heroism. It presents an American hero without even showcasing a close-up of the American flag. The film underscores that no nation stands above an individual. When Armstrong gazed upon Earth from the moon's surface, the film elicits tears not due to national honor or technological advancement, but from the human spirit of exploration. In a lonely, desolate space, far from the grasp of truth, humanity's exploration persists, carried forward by a hopeful, vital energy. Even in the silence of the cosmos, the distance between Earth and the moon signifies the solitude.