Texan Charles Farmer left the Air Force as a young man to save the family ranch when his dad died. Like most American ranchers, he owes his bank. Unlike most, he's an astrophysicist with a rocket in his barn - one he's built and wants to take into space. It's his dream. The FBI puts him under surveillance when he tries to buy rocket fuel, and the FAA stalls him when he files a flight plan – but Charles is undeterred.
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the audience applauded
Good , But It Is Overrated By Some
A lot of fun.
One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
The most unrealistic piece of garbage I've ever seen. Why did I waste 2 hours watching this god awful sandwich of poop. The movie started off pretty well but the plot suddenly turned into a classic C grade movie. I don't even know if I can write 5 lines of text for this dumb movie. Even fourth graders would laugh at this whimsical fantasy of nonsense. Narnia was more believable.
Texan farmer Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) is obsessed with his rocket dreams. He risks everything including his farm. The bank is at the door step, and now the government is there too as he tries to buy rocket fuel.Mark and Michael Polish twins have created some nice Americana cheese. It has the little guy hero and he's confronted by overwhelming opposition. He and his wife Audrey (Virginia Madsen) lead a nuclear Rockwellian family. The most interesting thing is how much she supports him. When she finds out the bank trouble, it provided the most drama in the whole movie.The biggest problem is the lack of suspense or any surprises. The characters are all cookie cutter creations. They even got Bruce Willis offering Farmer a ride on the shuttle. Armageddon anyone? The story unfolds with barely a twist in sight.
Michael Polish's "The Astronaut Farmer" works well for most of its running time. A fantastical David vs Goliath tale, the film watches as actor Billy Bob Thornton plays a Texas rancher who constructs a rocket in his barn and, against all odds, launches himself into outer space.The film's final act is ruined by several ridiculous sequences and some poor CGI, but also this: the film's first 3 acts work well because we're unsure whether Thornton's character is deeply deluded. We also suspect that his family members have become an almost cult-like group, who blindly worship, obey and follow their little patriarch. These interesting avenues, however, are ultimately left unexplored."The Astronaut Farmer" is criticised for being "totally damn unbelievable", but the film knows this. Structured as a children's tale, the film's a piece of myth-making about boyhood dreams propelling grown men. Thornton counters the film's whimsy with some good, dead-pan humour.7/10 – See "The Right Stuff" and "The White Diamond". Worth one viewing.
I will be honest and admit that I wasn't looking forward to watching it. I had just seen Evan Almighty and feared that I had watched the more entertaining movie first and then the depressing movie second.Nope. I was wrong. Sure it was depressing, and sad. Sure there were troubles and sorrow. But isn't that what life contains? The movie started out slow but I got into it quickly enough. I felt connected easily and loved the character's personalities. The failed launch made me feel that he was going to give up. I didn't think that he'd do it again.The second one was really amazing. It got me crying because I knew the joy they were feeling. I really liked how it ended. There were many sorrows in the movie but many joys as well.It would be 10/10 but there was swearing.