Hidden Figures

[Clint Lando]

Is Kevin Costner's character based on a real person?
Not exactly. In researching the Hidden Figures true story, we learned that Kevin Costner's character, Al Harrison, is based on three different directors at NASA Langley during Katherine Johnson's time at the research facility.

Did Katherine Johnson feel the segregation of the outside world while working at NASA?

No. "I didn't feel the segregation at NASA, because everybody there was doing research," says the real Katherine G. Johnson. "You had a mission and you worked on it, and it was important to you to do your job...and play bridge at lunch. I didn't feel any segregation. I knew it was there, but I didn't feel it." Even though much of the racism coming from Katherine's coworkers in the movie seems to be largely made up (in real life she claimed to be treated as a peer), the movie's depiction of state laws regarding the use of separate bathrooms, buses, etc. was very real. African-American computers had also been put in the segregated west section of the Langley campus and were dubbed the "West Computers." -WHROTV Interview

Did they really think Katherine G. Johnson was the janitor there to empty the garbage can?
No. This does not appear in Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures book, on which the movie is based, and seems to be an element of fiction created by the filmmakers.

Is Jim Parsons' character, NASA engineer Paul Stafford, based on a real person?
No. In fact-checking the Hidden Figures movie, we learned that white collar statistician Paul Stafford, portrayed by Jim Parsons, is a fictional character

Hidden Figures Movie vs the True Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA

[sc_rufctr]

RIP...

[pmax]

Smart lady.

RIP

[JackDidley]

I am glad I saw this movie. Not sure how much was real but it is a good story. Also, nice to see something, not, CGI.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

I am glad I saw this movie. Not sure how much was real but it is a good story. Also, nice to see something, not, CGI.

I couldn't agree more. "Inspirational" doesn't really do it justice.

The idea of rising from humble beginnings and making a real contribution is a well worn path but these ladies did something very rare.
They took what they had and made the most of it.

I've done pretty well in life but I've also lost count of my own squandered opportunities.

[pmax]

One of those increasingly rare movies where one actually learns something from watching them ... well done.

Did it win anything at the Oscars ?

[Flat Six]

[Laneco]

Love that Flat Six...love that... <3

angela

[Tobra]

Thing I don't like about the docudrama genre is the compulsion to make stuff up to enhance the drama and diminish the documentary part of it.

[Shaun @ Tru6]