When it comes to the best romantic comedies in history, they can be a skeleton key to cinematic excitement if done right. With skill and panache, you can set that time tested tradition of love against pretty much any backdrop; as seen with the onslaught of holiday romances we get every year. The 2024 movie Fly Me To The Moon has decided to test that theory, putting Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum together against the backdrop of the Apollo space program.
Instead of saving a Christmas tree farm or recovering someone’s memories, this pair is about to try and make history…by potentially faking the moon landing. Folks, I have so many questions about this new trailer from Sony, which shows Johansson and Tatum having a meet-cute over a literally burning book.
From that point, we learn that the American space program needs a PR boost, and Scarlett’s character is the woman for the job. Insert auditions for key personnel, and a pitch to film the moon landing on a soundstage; complete with a Stanley Kubrick joke set to make any deep cut Shining conspiracy theorists pump their fists.
Which leads me to my first huge question: how do you mix a rom-com with a moon conspiracy drama? If this was focusing on the space race straight up, or some fictionalized mission to another planet, I could see this story kind of working. But wouldn’t Fly Me To The Moon’s approach be better suited in an anarchic comedy that doesn’t have any pretense of being taken seriously?
Maybe I’m just thinking too hard about the recent Unfrosted trailer, which saw Jerry Seinfeld take the story of Pop-Tarts and turn it into what looks like bonkers comedy gold. But Fly Me To The Moon's more serious streak has me a little bit confused as to what sort of reality we're dealing with here; and I'll admit that could just be me.
Originally titled Project Artemis, this movie was originally intended to be a Chris Evans/Scarlett Johansson reunion. But scheduling conflicts prevented that from happening, leaving the also oh so charming Channing Tatum to slip into the leading male role. And honestly, the chemistry between Johansson and Tatum could be something so spectacular that Fly Me To The Moon could blast off into the stars with audiences.
While I might still be trying to wrap my head around just what director Greg Berlanti’s movie is trying to do, I will admit that there is a potential for fun ahead. I mean, you’ve got a pair of very charming actors, with a supporting cast that has winners like Woody Harrelson and Ray Romano.
Not to mention, I feel a little bit of Down with Love’s energy peeking around the corners of this narrative; or at least I like to think I am. If Fly Me To The Moon can get anywhere near the loveliness of that severely underrated retro rom-com, I just might be singing this film’s praises in the end. I mean, it's a mid-century rom-com set against the space race, after all. I may have questions, but I know I'll be showing up to this one, with a martini in hand, as soon as possible.
Fly Me To The Moon achieves lift off on July 12th, just four days shy of 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. And eventually those of you with an Apple TV+ subscription will be able to stream this comedy into your homes, as the title's Apple Original Film status may have tipped you off.
