Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Fly Me to the Moon’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum as Kelly Jones and Cole Davis in Greg Berlanti’s FLY ME TO THE MOON. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’.
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​It is definitely safe to say, that we are living through one of the most divisive times in human history. For everywhere you go, in person or online, people are battling over something. It might be something small in nature, such as say differing opinions on matters of etiquette or how certain aspects of how modern life should go. Or it might be something huge, such as a battle over politics, ideologies and the place of ideology in everyday life. But one way or another, people are fighting over something, and it seems as though the fighting just keeps getting worse. As though we are on a path to something explosive and scary and we simply don’t know what to do at this point.
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For we want peace, and we want the fighting to stop and for unity to be the order of the day, but it seems as though our best efforts to bring that forth are failing. But what’s fascinating about this era in human history, is that we have been here before. We’ve seen brink like concerns over infighting come to life and yet, we have overcome. Granted, the stakes might be at their highest right now, but there are perhaps elements from history we can learn from… that can guide us toward unity and help us to think upon what really matters, and it just so happens… that a brand-new movie from Apple Studios and Sony Pictures, reflects upon one of those moments and how was it helpful in bringing us together at a time when it seemed as though unity was impossible. Which is a feat that Fly Me to the Moon accomplishes by offering up, the most unique plot possible.

Wherein we watch in 1968-1969 as NASA prepares to launch the Apollo 11 mission, the very one that put men on the moon, and it is here we meet two individuals. Cole Davis, the launch director of the mission, and Kelly Jones, a marketing specialist hired by a strange government ‘yes man’ named Moe Berkus… to win over hearts and minds for this mission as America battles its own demons. Which is a job that should be simple in nature, but Kelly runs into a great deal of problems along the way. For she and Cole battle over her plans for the program, and she is hiding from a shady past that is being used by Moe to bring a dastardly plan to life. Wherein Kelly is tasked with creating a secondary, fake moon-landing as a backup plan if Apollo 11 fails. A plan that Moe later decides, is the only way to handle the moon landing, prompting Kelly to dig deep and decide what matters most in this moment.

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Which is at first glance, a plot that seems grounded more in fluff and fun than deeper meaning and there is some merit to that particular line of thinking. After all, that does lean hard into the conspiracy theory that exists that the moon landings were somehow faked, and of course… that kind of conflict between a pair of opposites is usually the foundation for a romantic comedy, and those elements are here too. Since Cole and Kelly do indeed fight their attraction toward one another, before giving into what their hearts want. But as the movie progresses, and Moe’s desires to fake the moon landing become more apparent and more urgent, does it become clear that this story has deeper concepts in mind, the kind that do indeed speak to our world, and our current fights, and how we make peace. 
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For this is a story that showcases the division of the era, and how others were concerned with ideology, goals and political grandstanding at a time when mankind was about to accomplish something far greater. All of which feels familiar and is thankfully presented in a manner that informs the audience, of how so much of what we fight over, is unimportant, really. For ideologies come and go with the times, and the political world is indeed a popularity contest that requires accountability over agency, and that what truly matters… are the beautiful moments we uncover in life with people that matter, and the incredible things we can accomplish when we hold to the truth and come together united in a common goal. And that, is the key to changing the tone of our world and moving it in a more peaceful direction.

The only questions that remain, are what is that common goal for us to uncover? Is it the forthcoming Artemis mission since we are going back to the moon for the first time in fifty-plus years, or is something bigger needed? Well that’s for us to figure out, but what matters more is that this film uses a charming romantic comedy plot thread, and great performances from Channing Tatum (Cole), Scarlett Johansson (Kelly), and Woody Harrelson (Moe), to leave us with more to think upon, and showcases the difference everyday people can make when they dedicate themselves to what’s just and what’s true, and that makes this a delightful motion picture and one that is absolutely worth your while. Courtesy of a magnificent story that engages, entertains and truly gives you hope for tomorrow at a time when it seems as though the world has gone mad. All by reminding us of the majesty we are capable of, when we toss the noise aside and push toward wonders untold.

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