October Sky
Directed by:
Joe JohnstonScreenplay:
Lewis ColickCinematography:
Fred MurphyComposer:
Mark IshamCast:
Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, Chris Ellis, Elya Baskin, Don Tilley, Dave Hager, Mark Jeffrey Miller (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Coalwood, West Virginia, 1957. Working in the coal mines is an inescapable way of life in this small town. When high schooler Homer Hickam, Jr. (Jake Gyllenhaal) sees the Sputnik satellite in the night sky, he dares to break free of the mines and reach for the stars. With the support of his teacher (Laura Dern) and three friends, Homer sets out on an inspiring quest to build his own rocket. Overcoming a poor education, a tough father (Chris Cooper) and a series of misfires, Homer turns his dreams into reality in this incredible true story of hope, determination and triumph. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (2)
I think everyone has a little film they'd stick their neck out for and defend its reputation tooth and nail, and I’ve found such a cult-classic in October Sky. Although stories like this about a downhill journey towards a goal are often filled with irritating and, for some, downright unbearable clichés, I can sometimes be quite willingly swept away by them, and in this case Johnston really hit the spot. If you don’t expect anything very original or above-par craftsmanship, you'll be so comfortable that after just a few minutes you'd call your mates at the pub and tell them to wait for you for two hours.
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A very enjoyable film in which pathos, true family values and other proper things are thankfully kept at bay by a relaxed mood and very good performances by all involved. It may seem that a family drama about a boy from a mining town who wants to be a rocket designer is not exactly typical substance for Joe Johnston. But it only seems so - he won with the atmosphere of the period, a bunch of boys and their adventurous zeal as always, although towards the end, true, it dragged on a little.
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