It’s fundamentally a solid movie focusing on the beginnings of the space race. The competition for dominance in space was a significant element of the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The idea that space could be a new arena for influence, similar to colonial territories earlier on, combined with the looming threat of nuclear conflict, created an urgency to control it. This is how the Mercury Program came about, responsible for America’s initial suborbital and orbital flights. Philip Kaufman's direction is strong and the film boasts high production values, although occasionally it feels like a costly promotional piece for NASA and the accomplishments of the Americans in the space race. The runtime extends to three hours, which is understandable given the scope of the Mercury missions being covered and the broad perspective offered. However, this leads to another issue: some familiarity with the program and its key figures is helpful to fully grasp what’s happening onscreen because explanations are limited, and the film assumes a certain level of audience knowledge. The acting stands out as a particularly noteworthy aspect; the movie's strength lies in character development and the performances delivered by the cast. Sam Shepard, Fred Ward, Ed Harris, and Dennis Quaid all deliver compelling portrayals that command attention. It’s difficult to highlight any one or two actors, as I believe each gave their best effort, and director Kaufman skillfully drew out their talents. The film maintains a relatively accessible tone, avoiding the complexities of a deeply technical drama or dense exploration of ideas. It even touches on the political and financial aspects of the project and how American politicians leveraged it for electoral gain. There are moments of humor, but don’t expect to be roaring with laughter. A particularly amusing scene involved an American vice president being turned away at the door of an astronaut's home by his wife. The writing is solid, the visual effects are believable, and the cinematography contributes to a very atmospheric feel, complemented by a fitting soundtrack.

Source on TMDB