First Man (2018)

Ryan Gosling stars as astronaut Neil Armstrong in this biopic about the American hero in the years leading up to the Apollo 11 space flight. It comes hot on the heels (pun intended) of La La Land, in which the great and wonderful Gos paired up with director Damien Chazelle to create something sublime.

Both are to be commended in their restrained performance in First Man. Gosling for his portrayal of Neil Armstrong, who remained grim and stoic in the face of a possibly insurmountable challenge – one small step and all that – and Chazelle for reining it in to focus on Armstrong’s personal journey rather than showy effects. Claire Foy, who plays the astronaut’s wife, also clocks in a stellar (ahem) performance as the supportive, but by no means pushover wife, Janet Armstrong. There could, and should, be Oscars in the wings.

Of course, what makes this movie all the more poignant is its timing: it hit cinemas a year before the 50th anniversary of man’s first steps on the moon, and First Man is now streaming on DStv Now amid a visual feast of aeronautical and space-themed documentaries.

Plum verdict: First Man is compulsory viewing, not just for fans of Hollywood epics but for anyone who loves a good go-get-em story!