The Astronaut Farmer
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Movie Reviews of The Astronaut Farmer
Movie Review: Good, Old-Fashioned Family Picture, Not Entirely Engaging Though
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Astronaut Farmer" is a family picture with a simple, heartfelt message: Dreams will come true. The most unique thing about the film is, however, the dream itself the film's protagonist Charles Farmer (played by Billy Bob Thornton, wonderful as always) has - Charles, a former pilot who was once trained to be an astronaut at NASA, but was forced to retire before flying, builds a rocket on his own, spending ten years and every dollar his family could save.
Another unique part of the film is the film's time setting. Charles Farmer's handmade rocket may look very old-fashioned, but the film's story is set in modern-day, post-9/11 America. So FBI interferes when Farmer tries to buy rocket fuel (10,000 gallons), considering him dangerous to the country. Still overall tone of the film remains optimistic throughout. Mr. Farmer is under watch of the agents, but they are described with a low-key comic touch. Bruce Willis briefly shows up as an astronaut (reminding us of "Armageddon" in which Billy Bob Thornton also appears). This is one of the film's very amusing moments.
But you may not like some parts of the film. Reviewers have rightly pointed out that "The Astronaut Farmer" ignores so many technical details about going to the space, but I think our willing suspension of disbelief is tested by the attitudes of Mr. Farmer himself towards the people surrounding him, rather than by the overlong climax, its implausibility or scientific background.
I say this because I think there is another story, or version of the story said above, which directors the Polish Brothers should have considered. You might think Charles Farmer is in fact putting his family in danger, financially and even physically. In one scene some people are nearly killed, which justifies the government's action to stall his flight. If for all Billy Bob Thornton's fine acting I couldn't relate to him as much as the film wants us to, this should be the reason.
But the three children are corporative. The boy is ready to help his father all the time. His wife (Virginia Madsen) is naturally (and rightly) worried, but she understands. Charles is never given a real task that is more challenging than outwitting FBI, CIA and FAA. He doesn't really have to deal with the downside of his dream. "October Sky," which has a similar theme, at least suggests there is another side of chasing your dream by showing Chris Cooper's father figure and contrasting it with his boy's to show the convincing father-and-son conflict.
Or maybe I am taking this film too seriously. But perhaps I should take the matter seriously when happiness of the members of my family is at stake. Certainly this is a feel-good picture with a simple story. But maybe you will find things are not that simple as the film shows.
Movie Review: Reach for the 3 Stars
Summary: 3 Stars
I thought that this movie would be a sincere, but mildly light and humorous, movie about reaching for your dreams. I was surprised at how very sad this movie could get and suffice it to say that I cried during parts. The movie does get more uplifting at the end, but its not all smiles.
This movie has a good concept, Charlie Farmer building his own space rocket to fulfill his dreams, but the writing just seemed off somehow. I didn't think that the characters handled family conflict or serious money problems realistically. All the actors do a good job performing their roles; I just think the roles themselves are off.
I also thought that this movie would be about the actual building of the rocket, Charlie Farmer explaining his dream to his family, etc. The movie actually starts with the rocket mostly finished and Charlie Farmer looking for rocket fuel. The FBI and other government agencies step in because it is rather suspicious for a civilian to be buying thousands of pounds of rocket fuel, and try to stop the already made rocket from launching.
MAJOR CONFLICTS
Government vs. Charlie Farmer
Towns Perception (Small Town) vs. Charlie Farmer
Money Problems / Bank vs. Charlie Farmer
Family Problems / Mrs. Farmer vs. Charlie Farmer
MAIN MORALS
The importance of holding on to your dreams
The value of family love and support
The importance of ignoring those who ridicule you while you pursue dream.
I would like to give this movie 3.5 stars. The actors and story are good; this movie is just unbelievable (the rocket was the believable part), and leaves me feeling a little put off with the entire thing. I'm glad I rented this movie but its nothing great.
Movie Review: Gee that was easy. Build a space capsule in the barn ,
Summary: 3 Stars
in your spare time & orbit the earth. Oh yeah, your teen age son is mission control. Please kids don't try this at home, you might succeed. This movie is not stupid, but hugely ridiculous on so many levels it is hard to know where to begin. Let's start & end with Farmer. He's an ex NASA astronaut that never got his chance to go into space. He's obviously very intelligent. His family is functional, funny, loving & stable. He's not drunk & doesn't do drugs. He doesn't beat his wife, or kids & is from Texas. Yeah that's pretty unbelievable.
This movie is about entertainment. What do we go to movies for? Escape. Suspend disbelief, let yourself go & enjoy the ride for a couple of hours. Anybody over ten knows this isn't just bad science, it's no science. Farmer builds a space ship not once but twice. He heals quickly, & his barn is resurrected after the first rocket crashes & doesn't explode (they always explode!) with 10,000 gallons of rocket fuel. He's mortgaged his ranch & still comes up with the spare parts & 10,000 more gallons of fuel to do it again & succeed. Our current government is truly stupid, but not so on drugs to allow this. One of the best lines, Upon being accused by feds of creating a WMD, Farmer replies "If I was you wouldn't find me." They, the bank, the townsfolks are the requisite villians we need so we root for Farmer. His success gets him on Leno. If you have issues with this nonsense of a film, maybe it works better as a metaphor. Your know: the little guy against the the system, the importance of dreams, that never give up spirit that is sooo American, etc. If not, enjoy the great production & the scenery. Or enjoy the skill of actor Billy Bob Thornton playing this part. That's unbelievable too.
Movie Review: Worth a rental
Summary: 3 Stars
I was very intrigued by the premise of this film. I'm sure most people remember Spaceship One which was the first privately built and flown spacecraft that made its maiden voyage into Earth's outermost atmosphere back in 2004, which sort of makes this a timely film (and PLAUSABLE, despite what the naysayers say or think).
The movie is well acted and filmed and it does have some shining moments. When Thornton actually lifts off (the 2nd time), I realized that I had a HUGE smile on my face. What a wonderful scene! Also, the relationship he had with his kids and his wife was portrayed very well.
I don't think I'm going to spend the money to own this one. It was good, but a one-time viewing is enough I think. Yes, the film is decent, but I felt that a number of scenes were a little too hokey for my tastes and the ending seemed abrupt, like the director was trying to quickly wrap everything up in a nice, neat little package with bright, shiny wrapping paper.
Of special note is the blooper/gag reel in the special features section. Look for the scene where Thornton does his classic Karl character from "Sling Blade". Hilarious!
Movie Review: Good family fare
Summary: 3 Stars
Dreams can unite a family so strongly that no bank, Federal agency, or member of the press can tear them apart. "Astronaut Farmer" is not just a story about impossible dreams, but all the subtle nuances that keep people hanging on and hanging together.
Okay, you not only had to suspend disbelief, you had to lock it up and leave it alone til the film is over--still, it's well acted, beautifully filmed and produced. And yeah, it's one of those films that you leave feeling better. That's worth the time and it's definitely worth showing your kids.
Except well--don't try this at home folks!