Fly Me to the Moon
Movie Trailer
Release Date
July 12, 2024
Genre
Romantic Comedy Drama
Cast & Crew
- Scarlett Johansson as Kelly Jones
- Channing Tatum as Cole Davis
- Woody Harrelson as Moe Berkus
- Ray Romano as Henry Smalls
- Jim Rash as Lance Vespertine
- Anna Garcia as Ruby Martin
- Donald Elise Watkins as Stu Bryce
- Noah Robbins as Don Harper
- Christian Clemenson as Walter
- Colin Woodell as Buzz Aldrin
- Nick Dillenburg as Neil Armstrong
- Christian Zuber as Michael Collins
- Gene Jones as Senator Hopp
- Joe Chrest as Senator Vanning
- Stephanie Kurtzuba as Jolene Vanning
- Colin Jost as Senator Cook
- Peter Jacobson as Chuck Meadows
- Victor Garber as Senator Hedges (uncredited)
Director
Greg Berlanti
Producer
- Keenan Flynn
- Sarah Schechter
- Scarlett Johansson
- Jonathan Lia
Writer
Rose Gilroy (Screenplay)
Bill Kirstein (Story)
Keenan Flynn (Story)
Budget
$100 million
Production Company
- Apple Original Films
- These Pictures
Running Time
132 minutes
Languages
English
Maturity Rating
PG-13
Content Advisory
- Mild language
- Romantic scenes
- Depiction of 1960s-era social attitudes
- Themes of deception and moral ambiguity
Movie Story
Set against the backdrop of the Space Race, Fly Me to the Moon tells the story of Kelly Jones, a cunning and resourceful advertising executive, who is coerced into working for NASA’s public affairs office in late 1968. Kelly is initially reluctant to take on the job but is forced into the role by Moe Berkus, a mysterious government operative with ties to President Nixon. Moe threatens to expose Kelly’s past as a con artist, leaving her with no choice but to accept the position. Alongside her loyal assistant Ruby, Kelly relocates to Cocoa Beach, Florida, where she quickly becomes embroiled in the inner workings of NASA.
Kelly’s first encounter with Cole Davis, the no-nonsense launch director at Kennedy Space Center, is both awkward and fiery. After a chance meeting at a local restaurant where they literally put out a fire together, Cole finds himself attracted to Kelly, unaware of her new role at NASA. As they begin working together, tensions rise between Kelly’s modern marketing methods and Cole’s traditional approach to space exploration. Kelly proposes several unconventional ideas to boost public interest in NASA, including corporate sponsorships and staged media appearances by actors posing as scientists, much to Cole’s chagrin.
As the Apollo 11 launch approaches, Kelly receives a covert assignment from Moe: to prepare a fake moon landing, codenamed Project Artemis, as a backup in case the real mission fails. Torn between her professional duties and her growing feelings for Cole, Kelly grapples with the ethical implications of deceiving the American public. The stakes are further heightened when it becomes clear that Project Artemis is not just a contingency plan but an operation set to go live regardless of Apollo 11’s success.
The film builds to a dramatic climax as Kelly and Cole, along with the help of NASA engineers, work against the clock to ensure the real moon landing is broadcast to the world. In a moment of intense suspense, the line between reality and fiction blurs, leaving viewers questioning the authenticity of what they’re seeing on screen. Ultimately, Kelly redeems herself by coming clean about her past and the deceptive project, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation with Cole as the successful Apollo 11 mission unfolds before the eyes of millions.
Special Effects
The special effects in Fly Me to the Moon blend seamlessly with the period setting, recreating both the grandeur of the Apollo 11 mission and the tense atmosphere of the 1960s Space Race. The film’s visual effects team did a remarkable job of making the fictional elements, like the fake moon landing set, feel authentic while contrasting them with the real NASA operations.
Box Office Performance
Fly Me to the Moon has grossed $41.6 million worldwide as of August 29, 2024. The film had a modest opening, earning $9.4 million in its first weekend in the United States and Canada, and continued to perform steadily in international markets. While not a blockbuster, the film’s unique premise and strong performances have kept it in theaters for several weeks.
Filming Locations
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA
Notable Quotes
- “Sometimes, the biggest leap is not the one into space, but the one into someone’s heart.” – Kelly Jones
- “We didn’t just land on the moon; we landed on a dream.” – Cole Davis
- “Truth is as fragile as the finest glass, but it cuts just as deep when shattered.” – Moe Berkus
Behind-the-Scenes
- The production of Fly Me to the Moon saw a significant director change early in the process, with Greg Berlanti stepping in to replace Jason Bateman. This shift led to a revised shooting schedule and changes in the cast.
- The set design for the fake moon landing was meticulously crafted to mirror the real Apollo 11 mission, requiring extensive research and consultation with NASA historians.
- Composer Daniel Pemberton created an original score that blends orchestral elements with 1960s-inspired electronic sounds to evoke the era and the film’s themes of ambition and deception.
Final Verdict
Fly Me to the Moon is a charming and thought-provoking blend of romance, comedy, and drama, set against one of the most pivotal moments in American history. The film’s exploration of truth, deception, and the human cost of ambition is handled with a light touch, making it an enjoyable yet meaningful watch. While the plot may stretch the boundaries of believability at times, the chemistry between Johansson and Tatum, coupled with Berlanti’s direction, makes this film a standout in the 2024 cinematic landscape.
IMDb Rating
6.6/10
Image Source: by Dan McFadden/Sony Pictures