Gabrielle Bourne Media had the opportunity to privately screen this film, thanks to Apple. Many of us grew up with those who doubted the actual “moon landing.” This included a quirky drama teacher who believed it was all “faked.” Fly Me to the Moon is history, rom-com and conspiracy all rolled into one. The film stars Scarlett Johansson (also in a producing role), Channing Tatum and Jim Rash. Under Greg Berlanti’s direction, this film has lift.
Warning: Spoiler Alert!
Fly Me to the Moon
Conspiracy
Fly Me to the Moon uses the backdrop of the Apollo 11 mission to tell the story of a spunky corporate marketing maven, “Kelly Jones” (Scarlett Johansson). Hired by a mysterious government operative, Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson), he is the only person who knows Jones’ true identity. Something she kept hidden from her co-workers. Her mission is to “fake” the moon landing. Moe tells Kelly it’s a ‘back up plan’ in case not all goes according to the mission. Sound familiar? The U.S. government didn’t want the Soviet Union to win. For his part, Moe promises “Jones” a ‘do over’ and to erase her past.
The conspiracy theory about the moon landing has existed since the Apollo 11 mission of 1969. So, this is nothing new. However, the film cleverly takes the position that the moon landing actually happened. Further, using humour and ploy it redirects audiences to an alternative reality. Or the possibility of it. Add to that a black feline, the film is rife with conspiracy.
The Story and Script
Rose Gilroy wrote the script, from a story by Bill Kirstein and Keenan Flynn. Gilroy, the daughter of Renee Russo was an unknown, with no WGA membership. But her tenacity and belief in herself won her the coveted writer’s position with Scarlett Johansson. Gilroy has an impressive pedigree and writing chops. Gilroy’s grandfather, Frank D. Gilroy, won a Pulitzer and a Tony for his 1965 play, The Subject Was Roses. Gilroy got the job with 15 pages on spec!
Master Manipulation
This film is about master manipulation. This film may sound like the Black Window 2.0 with accents and a hidden past. But it isn’t . It’s a charming take on a woman on a mission. Literally. Moreover, “Jones” uses various “tricks of the trade” to get what she wants, but she does it with class and sophistication. And making people bend to her will is a full time job for “Jones”. This includes convincing Senators on the fence to support NASA and the mission to the moon.
Further, her accents including a “Southern Belle” makes her “relatable” to the people she is trying to win over. Definitely “Jones” is a master manipulator, but she is a smart operator. After all, she is up against the “boys club” network of 1969. So, she needs to ‘bend’ the rules a little.
Jones’ tactics can be grating at times and her charm doesn’t win everyone over at first. This includes Cole Davis (Channing Tatum), NASA’s Mission Flight Coordinator. There is a blooming romance but enough banter to keep the story line moving, at least. When Jones’ past catches up with her, will Davis forget and forgive? Davis was the Flight Mission Coordinator on the tragic Apollo 1 mission. He never forgot the astronauts who perished.
Fly Me to the Moon Mission Accomplished
Enter Jim Rash in the role of Lance Vespertine. Rash is a dead ringer for Stanley Tucci. But he’s the perfect choice to play the Stanley Kubrick wannabe. “Jones” hires Vespertine to direct the fake moon landing with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins look-a-likes. The real Cole Davis accidentally meets his look-a-like (Bill Barrett) in a funny take. Meanwhile, Jones’ assistant Ruby Martin (Anna Garcia) secretly photographs the NASA documents on the mission plan. “Jones” secures a hangar for the set. Creating the “fake” moon landing, with all its hilarity, also makes the conspiracy theory probable.
Falling in love was not in the cards for “Jones” and she began to feel badly about what she was doing. Her change of heart and direction adds a bit of gravitas. She initially quits, but decides not to run, and for the first time confronts her past and her present. She tells Cole the whole plan and together, they hatch another plan to save the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.