During the 1960s, the era of the movie “Hidden Figures,” Joseph Pluth said he was studying to be a scientist.
A few years later, he said he worked with a newer model of the same computer featured in the movie while working at the University of Chicago.
The New Lenox man said the movie, which he saw on Friday, gave an accurate portrayal of the science of the era.
“It was really well done, the whole movie,” said Pluth after seeing it at New Lenox AMC Theatre.
The movie is based on a true story of three African-American women who played important roles at NASA in 1961. The movie earned three Oscar nominations.
“One of the best pictures I’ve seen,” said Mary Ellen Connolly of Lockport.
“And we laughed and we cried,” said John McGowan, also of Lockport, who attended the viewing with Connolly. ” Bring some tissues if you see it.”
As people exited the theatre Friday, others also praised the film.
“I think its a story that should have been told before now,” said Vincent Hardy of Chicago.
Hardy said it was especially important during February’s Black History Month, so that children can aspire to be whatever they want to achieve. Diane Stemley, also of Chicago, said that it will help girls understand they, too, can be scientists, if they chose.
“Kids don’t dream like they used to,” he said.
The movie captured the era of the 1960s in a dynamic way, Stemley said.
“It didn’t rehash what you already know, it lets you absorb what the ladies did for the space program,” Stemley said.
“It’s a wonderful movie about women and science,” said Arlene Jones of unincorporated Joliet Township. “When I got married (in 1966), the only opportunities were teaching, nursing and homemaker, (also) secretarial, that’s about it. (Women) weren’t encouraged to go into other fields.”
Jones said it was “heartwarming” to learn about the women scientists at NASA back then.
“It took me back,” said Sheree Jensen of New Lenox. “I was growing up in 1961 I was 10 years old. It’s a shame as brilliant of minds those women had they were treated that bad.”
Karen Ely, of New Lenox, said that she is not surprised that the movie earned so many Oscar nominations. She said the acting was “excellent.”
“You couldn’t ask for a better group (of actors) from Kevin Costner, and everyone played in there,” Hardy said.
Still, what many of the people leaving the theatre remarked about where the real-life female mathematicians portrayed in the movie, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
“Three women were that exceptional, brilliant and smart, nobody knew for how many years,” Jensen said. “It’s 2017.”
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
