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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE ASTRONAUT FARMER
The Astronaut Farmer

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The Astronaut Farmer (2007)

58%
100%
55%
N/A
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N/A
58 %
Reviews Counted: 130 Fresh: 76  Rotten:54 Average Rating: 6/10
 
Consensus: A charming, inspirational drama that appeals to the dreamer in all of us. The Astronaut Farmer is a charming, inspirational drama that successfully avoids modern cinematic cliches while appealing to the optimistic dreamer in all of us. more
 
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins
Synopsis:
If twin filmmakers Mark and Michael Polish take cues from David Lynch, then THE ASTRONAUT FARMER is their version of THE STRAIGHT STORY. Though the brothers usually deal in the surreal (NORTHFORK) and the strange (TWIN FALLS, IDAHO), this drama about a would-be astronaut is almost... [More]
If twin filmmakers Mark and Michael Polish take cues from David Lynch, then THE ASTRONAUT FARMER is their version of THE STRAIGHT STORY. Though the brothers usually deal in the surreal (NORTHFORK) and the strange (TWIN FALLS, IDAHO), this drama about a would-be astronaut is almost pedestrian by comparison. But thanks to strong performances and a quirky story, this film manages to be both interesting and inspirational. Billy Bob Thornton (BAD SANTA) plays Charles Farmer, a man who is unwilling to let his lack of NASA credentials keep him from space. Instead, he builds a rocket in his Texas barn and prepares to launch it. When his attempts to purchase large amounts of fuel draw the eye of the government, he must contend with the law, the press, and mounting bills. Though Farmer is a rebel of sorts, he is a departure from the gruff characters Thornton usually plays in films such as BAD SANTA and BAD NEWS BEARS. He is tender toward his family and idealistic, though he doesn't hesitate to throw a brick through a window. Virginia Madsen continues her ascent after SIDEWAYS with her role as Farmer's long-suffering wife. Her chemistry with both Thornton and the three young actors that play their children brings a believable family dynamic to the film. Character actors Tim Blake Nelson (O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?) and Jon Gries (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE) add charm and sincerity to their roles as Farmer's lawyer and an FBI agent, respectively. Mark Polish plays a small role as another agent, while twin brother Michael directs. Both Polish brothers wrote the heartwarming screenplay that features touches of wry humor, making for an enjoyable cinematic experience. [Less]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce Willis, Bruce Dern, Richard Edson

Director: Michael Polish
Screenwriter: Michael Polish, Mark Polish
Producer: Paula Weinstein, Len Amato
Composer: Stuart Matthewman

DVD Info

Release:

Oct 7, 2007

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Full Frame & Widescreen

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
  • Subtitles - English, French, Spanish

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary - A Conversation with NASA Astronaut David Scott
  • Behind the Scenes - "How to Build a Rocket: The Making of THE ASTRONAUT FARMER"
  • Clips/Highlights - Bloopers and Outtakes
  • Trailers

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Ratings Image

The Astronaut Farmer attempts to recall a simpler time when space travel was a beautiful thing and fighting for your dreams is all that matters, but that ship ... er, rocket has sailed.

Full Review | Comment
03/03/08 09:51 AM
Jeff Bayer
Daily Herald (IL)
Ratings Image

It's hard not to like this goofy little film...engaging and uplifting for young and old.

Full Review | Comment
06/26/07 08:35 AM
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com
Ratings Image

While it is far too long, especially in the home stretch, The Astronaut Farmer is a heartwarming and fun story about the tenacity it takes to see a dream through.

Full Review | Comment
06/25/07 01:10 PM
Stax
IGN Movies
Ratings Image

The filmmakers reveal a keen eye for oddities in the American landscape be it a pair of conjoined twins trying to look normal, a huge ark sitting in the middle of a Montana town or a rocket nestled in a barn.

Full Review | Comment
03/23/07 03:33 AM
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org
Ratings Image

It earns emotion because Farmer's arguments with the F.A.A. and his own wife appeal to basic hopes of liberty - belief that dreaming doesn't have to end with adulthood.

Full Review | Comment
03/15/07 09:12 AM
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Ratings Image

Movies, even if they are ridiculous, are supposed to give us a desire to believe it could happen. This movie never comes close.

Full Review | Comment
03/14/07 01:15 PM
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly
Ratings Image

As sweet as new-mown hay, "The Astronaut Farmer" is a gentle movie about pursuing dreams regardless of the cost.

Full Review | Comment
03/09/07 12:58 AM
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
Ratings Image

a quirky, feel-good flick that espouses the virtues of following your dreams, no matter how improbable.

Full Review | Comment
03/07/07 07:56 PM
Sean McBride
Sean the Movie Guy
Ratings Image

Fueled by a decidedly American formula of can-do crazy, The Astronaut Farmer feels, for all its libertarianism, a little lost in space.

Full Review | Comment
03/03/07 05:52 AM
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out New York
Ratings Image

A wise, weird and wonderful indie film that is chock-full of quirky characters, intriguing situations and sly social satire.

Full Review | Comment
03/03/07 05:52 AM
Peter Sobczynski
eFilmCritic.com
Ratings Image

...scientifically implausible, even laughable, but emotionally it's irresistible...

Full Review | Comment
03/02/07 09:22 AM
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
Ratings Image

Pretty photography and excellent casting cannot redeem this contrived (for reasons other than the actual idea, which is a good one) story.

Full Review | Comment
03/01/07 01:07 PM
Karina Montgomery
rec.arts.movies.reviews
Ratings Image

If 'feel good' is a film objective worthy of ridicule, then call this reviewer a space cadet.

Full Review | Comment
02/28/07 09:16 AM
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
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Has a scrappy charm that's hard to completely resist.

Full Review | Comment
02/28/07 07:19 AM
Ethan Alter
Film Journal International
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[The film has] a plodding, pedestrian (at best) script, utterly uninvolving characters and easy potshots at the usual suspects.

Full Review | Comment
02/28/07 03:24 AM
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan
Ratings Image

Perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay the movie is to say that it actively made me want to throw logic right out the window and surrender completely to the fantasy. Which is exactly what I did. This is a little masterpiece.

Full Review | Comment
02/27/07 07:12 PM
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat
Ratings Image

If you like Frank Capra-like movies, then this is for you.

Full Review | Comment
02/27/07 03:26 PM
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
Ratings Image

If somewhat overly familiar and contrived at times this is a likable Capra-esque story.

Full Review | Comment
02/27/07 02:56 PM
Mark R. Leeper
rec.arts.movies.reviews
Ratings Image

In terms of message, the film haphazardly succeeds, but the poorly-decided path to get there on Farmer's part won't wash with anyone except the kids who are too young to understand.

Full Review | Comment
02/26/07 07:04 PM
Bill Clark
FromTheBalcony
Ratings Image

The motto of the brothers Polish must be, 'If you plant a cornball drama in Texas, they will come.'

Full Review | Comment
02/26/07 03:27 PM
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly
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