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The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
23 February 2007 (USA)
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Tagline:
If we don't have our dreams, we have nothing.
Plot:
A NASA astronaut (Thornton), forced to retire years earlier so he could save his family farm, has never give up his dream of space travel and looks to build his own rocket, despite the government's threats to stop him. full summary | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(18 articles)
Slideshow: Chicago Premiere of Documentary ‘I Know a Woman Like That’ With Virginia Madsen
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 13 October 2009, 11:13 PM, PDT)
Tribeca Film Festival 2009 - The Polish Brothers Found the Perfect '80s Parents for Stay Cool
(From amctv.com - AMC News: Film Festivals. 28 April 2009, 11:05 AM, PDT)
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 13 October 2009, 11:13 PM, PDT)
Tribeca Film Festival 2009 - The Polish Brothers Found the Perfect '80s Parents for Stay Cool
(From amctv.com - AMC News: Film Festivals. 28 April 2009, 11:05 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Fun story, but don't take it too seriously
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Billy Bob Thornton | ... | Charles Farmer |
 | Virginia Madsen | ... | Audrey 'Audie' Farmer |
 | Max Thieriot | ... | Shepard Farmer |
 | Jasper Polish | ... | Stanley Farmer |
| Logan Polish | ... | Sunshine Farmer |
| Bruce Dern | ... | Hal |
| Mark Polish | ... | FBI Agent Mathis |
 | Jon Gries | ... | FBI Agent Killbourne |
 | Tim Blake Nelson | ... | Kevin Munchak |
 | Sal Lopez | ... | Pepe Garcia |
 | J.K. Simmons | ... | Jacobson |
 | Kiersten Warren | ... | Phyllis |
| Rick Overton | ... | Arnold 'Arnie' Millard |
| Richard Edson | ... | Chopper Miller |
 | Elise Eberle | ... | Madison Roberts |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic material, peril and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
104 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
FBI Agent Mathis is played by Mark Polish, who wrote the screenplay.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: The doctor examining Farmer's eye is looking through an otoscope - an instrument for examining the ear canal. He should be using an ophthalmoscope to look into the eyes.
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Quotes:
Audrey 'Audie' Farmer:
I expect you home for dinner.
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Movie Connections:
References "Good Morning America" (1975)
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Soundtrack:
Rocket Man
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (118 total)
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Billy Bob Thornton plays an ex-astronaut trainee, now a Texas rancher, who never made it to space, so he builds a rocket in his barn. When he is almost ready and tries to buy rocket fuel the government steps in, meanwhile he's about to lose his farm to the bank.
Bruce Willis has a small role as the best friend from the astronaut program who *did* make it into space, and JK Simmmons is good as the head of the FAA. Bruce Dern's role as Fermer's father-in-law is disappointing. For a while it's unclear as to exactly who he is in relationship to the family.
The Astronaut Farmer pretty decent, if you can suspend your disbelief a little. The science of launching a rocket from an old wooden barn without burning down the barn is rather, ah... questionable at best. However, this is *not* a movie about science, it is a movie about people.
This film is pretty heavy on the relationship angle, my 9 year old daughter was bored during large sections, and getting ancy. Finally there were some good action scenes and she got interested again. I'd say children under the age of 12 wouldn't be very interested in this movie, but there isn't anything inappropriate. No sex, drugs or violence, and very mild language.
If you're just going for the entertainment value, it's wonderful. It has some great laughs, especially a dig on the CIA's ability to locate weapons of mass destruction. And it has a hilariously accurate running commentary on small-town life. If you've ever lived in a small town (I mean a really small town) it is a riot.
The Astronaut Farmer will probably remind you of the 1979 made-for-TV family-night mini-series "Salvage 1", about a junkyard owner who builds a rocket from parts in his salvage yard. This one is far better, even if it does have enough similarities to make you wonder if it's a smarter, cleaner remake.