2 AUG - 2024
A genre smash worth leaving your kids and husband at home for.
As a self-confessed rom-com buff who likes to escape her children via solo cinema trips, it was an easy ‘shit, yes’ when the opportunity arose to sit in a dark room with Channing Tatum for two-hours. I did, of course, pitch ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ for date night to my husband, knowing very well I’d get a hard pass as his narrow penchant lies only in films reminiscent of Rambo.
Featuring Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansen, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ watches Kelly Jones (Scarlett), a marketing specialist enlisted by the Nixon Administration rally public and political support for the Apollo 11 lunar mission. In this enemies-to-lovers rom-com, we watch Kelly's tumultuous dynamic with Cole Davis (Channing), the earnest NASA Launch Director working together to put three men on the moon.
As a child of the 90’s who grew up with great films like ‘10 Things I Hate About You,’ ‘Never Been Kissed’ and ‘The Wedding Singer,’ I must admit my expectations for this movie to provide any depth was somewhat low. My assumption being that this would be nothing more than 131 minutes of two very attractive people flirting, arguing and a bit of drama potentially involving a rocket ending with a predictable smooch at the end.
I was pleasantly surprised.
‘Fly Me to the Moon’ is a much more ‘serious’ film, with far more rocket engineering, political satire and history than I gave it credit for. What I assumed would be light, fun and flirty was actually cleverly funny and intriguing. The incorporation of the fake moon landing, and the exploration of the conspiracy theory adds a layer of mystery, hilarity and suspense.
*I must admit in the interest of transparency I did a quick google ‘How historically accurate is Fly Me to the Moon?’ Hint: actually, more than you would think.
When it comes to on-screen chemistry, sometimes, visuals speak louder than words. Not that I expected to be emotionally invested as I was with Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln in ‘Love Actually,’ but Scarlett’s New York hustle and Channing’s veteran boy-next-door-persona didn’t quite align. I kept thinking to myself that the only thing they had in common was that they were both attractive people. The movie fell a bit flat in delivering a head over heels romance to root for; however, their visual appeal made for an easy and enjoyable watch.
Ray Romano who played Harry, Cole Davis’ second in charge, stole the show and was both a highlight and a slightly emotional surprise. I don’t know if it was the sound of his goofy but comforting voice or just the slight humbleness he brought to the screen, but every time he spoke, I developed a slight lump in my throat. Maybe that was also because I was ovulating.
All in all, this movie is one for the girls and the guys. I got home and said to my husband ‘You would’ve really liked that, hope the kids were good though.’
5 out of 5 for sex appeal.
3.5 out of 5 for the film.
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