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Movies / On DVD / The Astronaut Farmer
The Astronaut Farmer

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The Astronaut Farmer (2007)

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Reviews Counted:132

Fresh:76

Rotten:56

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: The Astronaut Farmer is a charming, inspirational drama that successfully avoids modern cinematic cliches while appealing to the optimistic dreamer in all of us.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic material, peril and language

Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Feb 23, 2007 Wide

Box Office: $10,953,736

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)... 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. [More]

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

Starring: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce Dern, Richard Edson, Tim Blake Nelson, Max Thierot, Jon Gries, Mark Polish, Sal Lopez, J.K. Simmons

Director: Michael Polish

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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 10, 2007

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Reviews for The Astronaut Farmer

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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
splat

Fernando F. Croce

Self-fondling Americana

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 27 2009 11:54 PM

CinePassion

splat
2.0/5

Tony Macklin

The Astronaut Farmer is one of those movies that you don't believe for a moment while you're watching it, but you leave with a warm glow. But by the time you've driven home, you realize you've been conned.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 02 2009 08:53 AM

Fayetteville Free Weekly

tomato
B-

Steven D. Greydanus

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 29 2008 03:15 AM

Decent Films Guide

splat
5/10

Brandon Fibbs

We should be routing for Farmer and delighted that his dreams are finally becoming a reality, but, instead, the implausibility of the whole thing, the sheer Disneyification of its premise, the Capra-corn nature of its "follow your dreams and never, ever q

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 28 2008 12:05 PM

BrandonFibbs.com

tomato
7/10

John J. Puccio

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 26 2007 08:35 AM

DVDTown.com

tomato
4/5

Stax

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 Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 25 2007 01:10 PM

IGN Movies

tomato

Beth Accomando

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 Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 23 2007 03:33 AM

KPBS.org

tomato

Mark Palermo

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 Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 15 2007 09:12 AM

Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

splat
2/4

Lori Hoffman

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 Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 14 2007 01:15 PM

Atlantic City Weekly

tomato
3/4

Linda Cook

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 09 2007 12:58 AM

Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

tomato
3/4

Sean McBride

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2007 07:56 PM

Sean the Movie Guy

splat
3/6

Joshua Rothkopf

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 Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 03 2007 05:52 AM

Time Out New York

tomato
5/5

Peter Sobczynski

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 03 2007 05:52 AM

eFilmCritic.com

tomato
3/5

Jim Lane

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 02 2007 09:22 AM

Sacramento News & Review

splat
1.5/5

Karina Montgomery

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 01 2007 01:07 PM

rec.arts.movies.reviews

tomato
B+

Bruce Bennett

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 28 2007 09:16 AM

Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

tomato

Ethan Alter

Has a scrappy charm that's hard to completely resist.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 28 2007 07:19 AM

Film Journal International

splat

Jean Lowerison

[The film has] a plodding, pedestrian (at best) script, utterly uninvolving characters and easy potshots at the usual suspects.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 28 2007 03:24 AM

San Diego Metropolitan

tomato
4/4

Mike McGranaghan

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 Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 27 2007 07:12 PM

Aisle Seat

tomato
B

Robert Roten

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 27 2007 03:26 PM

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