While there are some slow spots here and there, I still enjoyed "Man in the Moon" and thought it was a cute little curio from the era of the Space Race. However, instead of showing the fledgling American or Russian space programs, this movie is about the fictional British program.
The film begins with a team of scientists performing a wide variety of grueling experiments on people--all of which take a serious toll on them--causing the participants to get sick. Well, all but one becomes sick. For some odd reason, a rather nice but dim bachelor seems immune to all illnesses. Now you'd think this would be a case for the medical community--as his genes must be incredible. However, the scientists are only concerned about the space program--and none of these guinea pigs knew that was the purpose of the study. What they also didn't realize is that the egg-heads were looking for the perfect stooge to send to the moon. You see, the scientists hated all the bad press they got when animals were killed and they didn't want well-trained astronauts to die--so they were looking for someone expendable and resilient...and William Blood (Kenneth More) was their choice for this dubious honor.
Much of the film is about both the training Blood undergoes as well as his relationship with a nice stripper! But, because this lady might distract Blood, for much of the film her letters are kept from him. Later, he not only gets the girl but makes the first moon shot. To find out what happens next, try watching this cute film.
I liked the film's very cynical and tongue-in-cheek humor--though I am sure younger people in the audience would be less impressed because sometimes the humor was subtle and they really have no recollection of this interesting period in history. Well done all around, but with a few slow moments here and there.
The film begins with a team of scientists performing a wide variety of grueling experiments on people--all of which take a serious toll on them--causing the participants to get sick. Well, all but one becomes sick. For some odd reason, a rather nice but dim bachelor seems immune to all illnesses. Now you'd think this would be a case for the medical community--as his genes must be incredible. However, the scientists are only concerned about the space program--and none of these guinea pigs knew that was the purpose of the study. What they also didn't realize is that the egg-heads were looking for the perfect stooge to send to the moon. You see, the scientists hated all the bad press they got when animals were killed and they didn't want well-trained astronauts to die--so they were looking for someone expendable and resilient...and William Blood (Kenneth More) was their choice for this dubious honor.
Much of the film is about both the training Blood undergoes as well as his relationship with a nice stripper! But, because this lady might distract Blood, for much of the film her letters are kept from him. Later, he not only gets the girl but makes the first moon shot. To find out what happens next, try watching this cute film.
I liked the film's very cynical and tongue-in-cheek humor--though I am sure younger people in the audience would be less impressed because sometimes the humor was subtle and they really have no recollection of this interesting period in history. Well done all around, but with a few slow moments here and there.