IMDb > The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
The Astronaut Farmer
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The Astronaut Farmer (2006) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 59 | slideshow) Videos (see all 19)
The Astronaut Farmer (2006) -- 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.
The Astronaut Farmer (2006) -- Clip: If we don't have our dreams, we have nothing
The Astronaut Farmer (2006) -- Behind The Scenes: Rocket in barn
The Astronaut Farmer (2006) -- Interview: Jon Gries On Space And The American Spirit
The Astronaut Farmer (2006) -- 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.

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   9,687 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 20% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Mark Polish (written by) &
Michael Polish (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Astronaut Farmer on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 February 2007 (USA) more
Genre:
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
User Comments:
Fun story, but don't take it too seriously more (118 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic material, peril and language.
Runtime:
104 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
FBI Agent Mathis is played by Mark Polish, who wrote the screenplay. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The orbital views of Africa and Baja California are not accurate for a craft in a low orbit, and would require a much higher altitude. more
Quotes:
Charles Farmer: What makes you think your dad would wear a pink turtleneck?
Audrey 'Audie' Farmer: The color is salmon.
Charles Farmer: That's the color on the inside of a salmon. I don't think a fish would wear that color on the outside.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "HypaSpace: (#6.25)" (2007) more
Soundtrack:
List of Reasons more

FAQ

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57 out of 74 people found the following comment useful.
Fun story, but don't take it too seriously, 17 February 2007
8/10
Author: Lady_Arwyn from United States

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.

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Kid's Names WTF? fairevogel
Missing the Point. ssepper
Sad denverbarndude
couldn't suspend my disbelief mhukill
Things we learned from this movie (Please Add !!!) thecure-1
Did anyone else hate Billy Bob Thorton's character? (*spoilers*) warcloud7
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