What Fly Me to the Moon lacks in historical accuracy it makes up for in stylish charm. The film, from screenwriter Rose Gilroy and director Greg Berlanti, wonders what would have happened if a marketing team had to stage a back-up moon landing in order to sell the Apollo 11 mission to the American people—a conceit that lends itself well to broad-strokes comedy. The movie, brought to life in part thanks to the efforts its star and producer Scarlett Johansson, is a charming, cute possible history, invoking rom-com tactics and old-fashioned appeal in a way that is fairly successful.

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FLY ME TO THE MOON ★★★ (3/4 stars)
Directed by: Greg Berlanti
Written by: Rose Gilroy
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, Woody Harrelson
Running time: 132 mins.

Johansson plays........

© Observer