Fly Me to the Moon: A Phony Rom-Com About a Fake Moon Landing
The latest romantic comedy, Fly Me to the Moon, starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, is a mystifying misfire from start to finish. The film’s concept, which imagines that Richard Nixon’s administration really did film a fake, backup moon landing in 1969, is a recipe for disaster. Director Greg Berlanti’s attempt to create a heartwarming and exaggerated historical reenactment feature falls flat, and the result is a phony, uninspired film.
The real Apollo 11 mission control team
The film’s leads, Johansson and Tatum, are the only redeeming qualities of the movie. They have a sparky, opposites-attract chemistry that makes them fun to watch, but even they can’t save the film from its poorly written script and lack of direction.
The story is carelessly spun off from a real event: NASA’s public relations department actually did advocate for the Apollo 11 moon landing to be broadcast live on TV. But the film takes creative liberties, inventing characters and plotlines that are completely fictional. Kelly Jones, played by Johansson, is a marketing guru who uses fake identities to get ahead, and Cole Davis, played by Tatum, is a launch director wracked with guilt from the fatal Apollo 1 mission. Their characters are paper-thin and lack any real depth or development.
Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in Fly Me to the Moon
The film’s attempt to balance romance, comedy, and drama falls flat, and the result is a mess of a movie. The dialogue is cheesy, the plot is predictable, and the characters are unengaging. Even the usually reliable Woody Harrelson can’t save the film from its overall lack of direction.
The real Apollo 11 moon landing
Instead of wasting your time on Fly Me to the Moon, I recommend watching the fantastic documentary Apollo 11, which tells the real story of the moon landing through painstakingly restored behind-the-scenes footage. It’s a truly inspiring and moving film that will leave you feeling like you’re right there with the astronauts.
In conclusion, Fly Me to the Moon is a phony, uninspired rom-com that fails to deliver on its promise of a heartwarming and exaggerated historical reenactment feature. With its poorly written script, lack of direction, and phony plot, it’s a movie that’s best avoided.
