Fly Me to the Moon Movie Review

“Fly Me to the Moon” is a movie that has the backdrop of the U.S. Space Program of the late 1960’s. The Apollo moon shot mission is the key focus. But it is not content with following the (fictional) people involved. It instead goes into major ‘conspiracy theory’ territory. The actual moon landing will be a real boost for America’s prestige — even if Government Forces need to ‘fake it’…

New York City advertizing genius named Kelly Jones (played by Scarlett Johansson) has great success in late 1968. She works with her assistant Ruby (played by Anna Garcia) to set up her wheeling and dealing anywhere. All the men are distracted by her beauty, and the all the woman in the secretarial pool long to be her. She is able to land contracts and deals just by blinking her eyes.

Kelly works with many people, including one commercial Director named Lance Vespertine (played by Jim Rash). He is ‘out and proud’ which is unusual for that time period — unless you are in ‘The Arts’. And Lance thinks of himself as the ‘Kubrick of Commercials’. Kelly says she will find Lance more work, but she does not know what is about to happen. Then she meets Moe…

Moe Berkus (played by Woody Harrelson) comes into her office. He says he has a deal that Kelly cannot turn down. He says he is ‘connected with the President’s Office’, but does not explain how. It is secret Government work, and he is the type to know details about Kelly’s hidden past. She was heavily into scams and con games in her past. But Moe says he can make all that just go away.

Kelly and Ruby are assigned to go to Florida, over to Cape Canaveral. Kelly may be a shyster, but she can make a marvelous pitch to America about the NASA Space Program. The Apollo 11 moon mission is almost ready to launch, and Moe wants a seasoned professional woman like Kelly in charge of publicity. The increase in awareness will boost the NASA budget, and build America’s pride.

The main Launch Director for the upcoming Apollo 11 moon project is Cole Davis (played by Channing Tatum). He is a former Korean War ace who could not get into the Astronaut core. He handles the day-to-day operations with a group of dedicated workers. One of them is Henry Smalls (played by Ray Romano) who is ready to support Cole in anything.

Two other technicians are Stu (played by Donald Watkins) and his friend Don (played by Noah Robbins). But when Kelly and Ruby arrive, it is like a hornet’s nest was kicked into a library. The entire operation is not ready for a perky tornado of a shapely Publicity expert. Kelly catches Cole’s eye immediately. But he still need to focus on getting his astronaut crew to the moon and back.

Moe Berkus comes up with an alternate plan. If, for some unforeseen reason, the Apollo mission is not able to succeed, he wants Kelly to figure out a way to ‘simulate’ a moon landing. That means making a ‘fake landing’ that will be telecast instead of the live feed TV from the moon. Moe says this is authorized by people at the top…

Kelly is pushed into a corner, and she cannot let Cole Davis know anything about this. She and Ruby call on the services of a talented — if flamboyant — Director, the commercial diva named Lance Vespertine. His background can make the phony moon landing look real for the home audience. All he needs is complete secrecy, an iron fist, and cooler full of Tab.

Cole was deeply affected by the death of his astronaut crew in the test for Apollo 1. He refuses to cut any corner where safety is concerned. He also sees that there a vagrant black cat on the NASA campus. He takes that as a dark omen — like if something terrible might happen. He doesn’t know that Kelly found the cat earlier and is giving the stray plenty of food and water…

The fact the Kelly and Cole are working side-by-side, but that they have very different goals, well — that makes the relationship difficult. Cole thinks of the mission ahead and how he can assure the safe return after the moon landing. Kelly thinks of how to boost the popularity of NASA, so they can continue with all the funding that they need.

The day comes around for the launch, and the mission finally gets to the moon. Moe Berkus is staying in the background, but his power behind the scenes can be felt by everyone. He is determined to show the world that the Yanks can get to the Moon and put on a good show. Even if they are not able to do it the way that he thinks it should be done.

The moon walk is going to happen, for real on the lunar surface — and in a small back lot. Which one will be viewed by millions around the world? Due to all the lies and stories that Kelly has had to tell Cole, will there be any chance of romance? And will that silly black cat be the first feline to ‘walk on the moon’?

“Fly Me to the Moon” is a bit of a silly romp of a story. But the story is riding on the back of one of the most amazing achievements in human history. It takes the actual events of the Apollo 11 mission, and that part of it becomes a side-show to the bizarre ‘fake moon landing’ sub-plot. There are several places in the movie where some additional plot point or two gets stretched out for maybe a bit too long.

Scarlett Johansson plays up her feminine looks and personality to give her ‘Kelly’ a vibrant look. She is well-matched with Channing Tatum and his character ‘Cole’ — a straight-shooter with a heart of gold. These two rotate like planets around the sun. They both know each one is attracted to the other – it’s just that they cannot stand the things the other one stands for…

Another standout is Jim Rash, playing the insufferable “Lance’ — the ‘for hire director’ of a kooky sub-plot. The ‘fake landing’ idea is from Moe Berkus — and Woody Harrelson looks like he is having a blast with that role. The same thing with Jim Rash, if there is any need for a funny quip — ‘Lance’ is ready to cut anyone down to size.

The movie could be better if it were allowed to concentrate on the basics of the story. But the numerous sub-plots get in the way. There are trips to convince Senators for vote for funding, and last-minute raids on TV stores, just to get a part that the Lunar Module camera needs. It’s all stretched out way to much.

“Fly Me to the Moon” does not suffer from ‘Failure to Launch’, but the rocket fuel from the (movie) Stars is not enough to get it the Moon and back.