The Astronaut Farmer: Schmaltzy, Predictable, but Pretty Darn Good.
Written: Mar 29 '08
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Wonderful cast, fun story, positive themes...
Cons: Pours it on a little thick at times...
The Bottom Line: The Astronaut Farmer shoots for the stars...and almost gets there.
|
|
|
| JediKermit's Full Review: The Astronaut Farmer |
Call me a sucker, but there's something about the family-themed, tug-at-the-heartstrings schmaltzy movies that always gets me. And even though sometimes that means that the movies become predictable in terms of plot, or limited in terms of scope, they can also speak to some ideals that I find appealing.
This is what my wife and I found with 2006's "The Astronaut Farmer," which we watched last night. I thought the movie looked good a few years ago when it came out, but it wasn't one we got around to seeing in theatres. It tells the story of Charlie Farmer, a rancher who used to be in NASA's astronaut program. He dropped out, but never gave up on his dream: to reach the stars. He's passed that dream on to his wife and three children, and even though his hometown in Texas treats him like he's a nut, he has the support at home that he needs. When the FBI steps in to try and stop him from launching his homemade rocket, things reach a breaking point.
I thought the premise sounded good, and since I'm a bit of a space nut myself, I thought I'd have a lot in common with Charlie Farmer. I didn't expect what I found. The movie is focused on his dreams, and had my wife and I reflecting on our own dreams. When we were first dating nine years ago, we had to decide between following my own dream--to become a teacher--or a more profitable path. We decided on teaching, and have been very happy on that course. So watching Charlie's wife struggle with her devotion to her husband versus her duty to her children (and one must say, reality) hit home particularly hard.
The movie, written and directed by the Polish brothers, gets a particular boost into the stratosphere from its stellar cast. Billy Bob Thornton, who I always like, even when I don't like the movies he's in, is outstanding as Farmer, but he's outdone by Virginia Madsen as Audie, his wife. The supporting cast includes Bruce Willis and J.K. Simmons, and even the children in the movie are believable--feeling real, and not too "precious" for the setting.
Aside from a few choice curse words, the movie is family-friendly, and rated PG. At just over an hour and a half long, it's just the right length, not as bloated as other movies seem to be these days. If you have a dream in your life--whether it's reaching the stars or just taking care of your family, you'll like "The Astronaut Farmer."
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Family Movie
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
JediKermit
|
 in Movies, Kids & Family, Books |
 - Top 100 |
|
Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Reviews written: 2189
Trusted by: 601 members
About Me:
Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.