Will the space race-themed romantic comedy “Fly Me to the Moon” (Columbia) fill moviegoers’ hearts with song? Perhaps not, but it is a snappy production with a sharply-written script, penned by Rose Gilroy, that’s definitely suitable for grown-ups and possibly acceptable for older teens.
Opening scenes take us back to the 1960s and introduce us to lively and resourceful advertising agent Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson). Along with her talent for the business, Kelly displays a less wholesome gift for conning people into doing what she wants, mostly by assuming false personas.
That this ability has gotten Kelly into trouble in the past becomes apparent when she’s approached, out of the blue, by shadowy government official Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson). He wants to hire Kelly to revive NASA’s flagging image and improve its prospects of continued congressional funding – and he’s not above using blackmail to get his way.
As Kelly applies her trademark skills to this project, her initial reluctance to take it on is transformed into enthusiasm. But her often underhand approach brings her into conflict with the Apollo mission’s straight-shooting launch director, Cole Davis (Channing Tatum).
Predictably, of course, sparks of anger aren’t the only ones that eventually fly between the two.
Reminiscent of the witty screwball comedies of yore, director Greg Berlanti’s picture – which also riffs on the faked moon landing myth – has plenty of energy in its fuel tank. Believing viewers, moreover, will appreciate the way Gilroy’s screenplay showcases, albeit briefly, Cole’s sincerely held Christian faith.
Assessed from a moral perspective, the movie mostly charts Kelly’s ethical evolution as, through her relationship with Cole, she learns to rely on honesty rather than deception. But this is slightly offset when, in passing, it’s shown that Cole has learned a thing or two from Kelly as well. This incident leaves the audience with the implication that lying may not always be a bad thing.
Still, the agenda here, for good or ill, is not to instill life lessons; it’s to offer frothy entertainment – and the effort mostly succeeds. If its tale of love among the rockets isn’t exactly a blast, “Fly Me to the Moon” does at least clear the launch pad, registering as intelligent and droll. Compared to some of its summertime competition at the Cineplex, that’s saying quite a bit.
The film contains a few instances each of profanity and milder swearing, at least one rough term, occasional crude and crass language and a reference to homosexuality. The OSV News classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
