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Review #408 of 365
Movie Review of The Astronaut Farmer (2007) [PG] 104 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $13.00
Where Viewed: United Artists Colorado Center 9 & IMAX, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 24 February 2007
Time: 4:55 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
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Directed by: Michael Polish (Northfork)
Written by: Mark Polish (Northfork) and Michael Polish (Northfork)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Billy Bob Thornton (School for Scoundrels) • Virginia Madsen (The Number 23) • Max Thieriot (The Pacifier) • Jasper Polish (debut) • Logan Polish (debut) • Bruce Dern (Down in the Valley) • Sal Lopez (Paparazzi) • J.K. Simmons (Harsh Times) • Bruce Willis (Alpha Dog)
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
From the previews, it's easy to get an odd impression of what The Astronaut Farmer will be about. So, a farmer builds a rocket in his barn with the intention of launching himself into space, and the government intends to stand squarely in his way. And who plays the astronaut, Charles Farmer? Billy Bob Thornton. Which for people who still cannot say, "Billy Bob Thornton" or think of Billy Bob Thornton without saying "ah-hm-hem" or thinking ah-hm-hem, they must be wondering, "What on earth?, there's no way this movie is going to be worth seeing." Ah, and they don't even know about the incredibly tragic event that occurs halfway through the picture which, if they had overlooked their aversions to this film and went to see it anyway, would cause them to immediately second guess their decision. So, here's the thing. If you can get over the preview and the "ah-hm-hem" and my revelation of a mid-point tragic event, what you will get is an inspirational film that will touch your heart and, perhaps, reignite a long-lost passion of your own. It doesn't have to be mortgaging your family's last nickel for rocket fuel, but it just might be the equivalent of sending your family's minds, hearts, and souls on a collective journey of imagination and belief.
"…reignite a long-lost passion of your own…"
Bruce Dern looking haggard and worn plays Hal, grandfather of three Farmerlings: Shepard (Max Thieriot), Stanley (Jasper Polish), and Sunshine (Logan Polish), father of Audrey (Virginia Madsen) and father-in-law to Charles. They live in a wonderful, old farm house in rural Texas on 300 acres of land with a giant barn just big enough to house the rocket of Charles's design. Charles was an air force pilot in his glory days destined to be an astronaut when his father's death pulled him out of the program—a decision he regretted the rest of his life for he had always hoped to ride a rocket into space. Well, when some men go through their mid-life crisis and buy a Porsche to compensate for all the risky things they never did in order to provide the stability their family so richly deserved, Charles Farmed got the idea to build his own full-fledged rocket and launch it into space instead. His idea was a tad more expensive and potentially far more fatal. Yet, as Grandpa Hal tells him at one point, "You are one fabulous father. You've got your entire family dreaming together." This is an incredibly powerful statement and sparks Charles's own fuel to finish and achieve his destiny. He wants and needs to prove to himself that he quit once, but he will never quit again. He ties his own ego to the idea that his children, and wife for that matter, need to see him succeed even just once at something big. He does, honestly, lose perspective on this, and when he tries to buy the rocket fuel, that when Uncle Sam and the FAA and the Air Force and 15 other government agencies step in to smack him down. They even send his long time pal, the Colonel (a surprise cameo by Bruce Willis), to talk some sense into him. Of course, they have no idea how real his rocket is nor how powerful is his resolve to launch it.
Billy Bob Thornton as wanna be astronaut, Charles Farmer(Click Still Photo to Purchase)
The actors are all so good in their roles one quickly leaves their previous incarnations behind and really sees and believes in the Farmer Family. Young Max Thieriot was especially credible as he strives to serve his father in mission control. He must balance the seeming insanity of one man's vision with his own loyalty and support for his father. This creates a powerful dynamic in his character that is always just below the surface. The gang of government agents sent to observe and report back are typically stereotyped bumbling fools, and the government regulators are typically mean-spirited and stereotyped bureaucrats. This is probably the one dimension of the film that lacks authenticity. The Polish brothers, Mark (who directed and co-wrote) with his twin Michael, have taken a story whose power lies in its metaphor for all family life and made a very decent and entertaining, family film. The outcome, in the end is quite predictable, but necessary. There is no other way this story could have gone with out riots in the aisles. Just be prepared for a tragedy that will shock and stun much like the spotting of E.T.'s battered and broken body at the bottom of the ravine in E.T. the Extra-terrestrial.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring The Astronaut Farmer (2007)
Cast Members
Billy Bob Thornton
• Virginia Madsen • Max ThieriotJasper Polish
• Logan Polish • Bruce DernSal Lopez
• J.K. Simmons • Bruce WillisCo-writer / Director
Michael Polish
Writer
Mark Polish
| CD Soundtrack | DVD | VHS |
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The Astronaut Farmer (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Previews give an odd impression of what The Astronaut Farmer will be about. A farmer, played by Billy Bob Thornton, builds a rocket in his barn with the intention of launching himself into space, and the government intends to stand squarely in his way? If you can get over the preview, what you will find is an inspirational film that will touch your heart and, perhaps, reignite a long-lost passion of your own. The actors are credible and believable. The Polish brothers, Mark and twin Michael, have taken a story whose power lies in its metaphor for all family life and made a very decent and entertaining, family film. The outcome, in the end is quite predictable, but necessary. Just be prepared for a shocking and stunning tragedy much like the spotting of E.T.'s battered and broken body at the bottom of the ravine in E.T. the Extra-terrestrial.
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