Fly Me To The Moon American Movie Review: A Disappointing Romcom With A Stellar Cast

Fly Me to the Moon boasts a star-studded cast and a promising concept but ultimately falls short of delivering the laughs and charm expected from a romantic comedy. Set in the late 1960s, the film follows Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson), a successful ad executive who is recruited by a shadowy government figure (Woody Harrelson) to sell the space program to the American public, who are disinterested due to the ongoing Vietnam War.

Fly Me to the Moon American Movie Review

Fly Me to the Moon American Movie Plot Summary:

Kelly Jones, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, is an ad executive in Manhattan, thriving in her career. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she is approached by a mysterious government agent, played by Woody Harrelson, with a unique challenge: to revitalize public interest in NASA’s space program. The task proves difficult, especially with Apollo 11 Launch Director Cole Davis (Channing Tatum) opposing her every move. Davis, a brilliant pilot haunted by the Apollo 1 tragedy, is focused solely on ensuring the success of the moon landing.

YouTube (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

As Kelly’s public relations efforts clash with Davis’s mission, the narrative takes a twist with the White House pressuring Kelly to prepare for a potential fake moon landing, in case the real one fails. This subplot, a nod to conspiracy theories about the moon landing, introduces a comedic element with Kelly hiring a flamboyant, frustrated filmmaker (Jim Rash) to stage the fake landing.

Despite these intriguing elements, the film struggles with a jumbled narrative that shifts from an old-fashioned romcom to a political satire with dramatic undertones. The transitions are clunky, and the film fails to maintain a consistent tone, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience.

Fly Me to the Moon American Movie Cast and Performances:

Scarlett Johansson as Kelly Jones: Johansson delivers a competent performance as the quick-witted ad executive. Her portrayal is seasoned and nuanced, but the lack of chemistry with her co-star hampers the overall impact.
Channing Tatum as Cole Davis: Tatum embodies the character of the troubled pilot well, but his performance feels one-dimensional due to the way his character is written.
Woody Harrelson as the Government Agent: Harrelson’s role adds a touch of intrigue to the plot, though his character remains underdeveloped.
Jim Rash as the Frustrated Filmmaker: Rash’s performance stands out, adding a layer of flamboyance and humor to the film.
Ray Romano, Anna Garcia, and Colin Jost: Despite their talents, the supporting cast struggles to leave a mark. Romano and Garcia’s characters are forgettable, and Jost’s portrayal of a senator is overly hammed.

Fly Me to the Moon American Movie Direction and Screenplay:

Greg Berlanti’s direction fails to cohesively blend the romantic, comedic, and satirical elements of the story. The screenplay by Rose Gilroy is ambitious but lacks the necessary humor and sharpness to keep the audience engaged. The film’s runtime of 132 minutes feels lengthy, with certain scenes dragging on without adding much value.

Fly Me to the Moon American Movie Rating:

Rating: 2.5/5

Verdict:

Fly Me to the Moon is mildly entertaining, but it doesn’t live up to the expectations set by its stellar cast and intriguing premise. The film struggles with tonal inconsistencies and a lack of genuine humor, resulting in a final product that is far from the riotous romcom it aimed to be.

FAQs: (Frequently asked Questions)

When is Fly Me to the Moon set?
The film is set in the late 1960s, against the backdrop of the Apollo space missions.
Who plays the lead roles in Fly Me to the Moon?
Scarlett Johansson plays Kelly Jones, and Channing Tatum plays Cole Davis.
What is the main plot of Fly Me to the Moon?
The film follows ad executive Kelly Jones, who is tasked with revitalizing public interest in NASA’s space program. She faces opposition from Apollo 11 Launch Director Cole Davis and must navigate a potential fake moon landing scenario.
Who directed Fly Me to the Moon?
Greg Berlanti directed the film.
What genre is Fly Me to the Moon?
The film is a romantic comedy with elements of political satire and drama.
What is the runtime of Fly Me to the Moon?
The film has a runtime of 132 minutes.
Who are the supporting cast members in Fly Me to the Moon?
The supporting cast includes Woody Harrelson, Jim Rash, Ray Romano, Anna Garcia, and Colin Jost.
What is the critical reception of Fly Me to the Moon?
The film has received mixed reviews, with a rating of 2.5 out of 5. Critics have pointed out its tonal inconsistencies and lack of humor.
Is Fly Me to the Moon based on a true story?
No, the film is a fictional story that incorporates elements of historical events and conspiracy theories.
What is the main theme of Fly Me to the Moon?
The film explores themes of ambition, redemption, and the complexities of public perception during a turbulent historical period.