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The Astronaut Farmer (2006)

PG  |   |  Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi  |  23 February 2007 (USA)
6.3
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Ratings: 6.3/10 from 19,165 users   Metascore: 55/100
Reviews: 128 user | 112 critic | 28 from Metacritic.com

A NASA astronaut (Thornton), forced to retire years earlier so he could save his family farm, has never given up his dream of space travel and looks to build his own rocket, despite the government's threats to stop him.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Logan Polish ...
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Hal
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Kevin Munchak
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Jacobson
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Phyllis
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Arnold 'Arnie' Millard
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Chopper Miller
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Madison Roberts
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Storyline

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; the FAA stalls him when he files a flight plan - it's post-9/11, after all. His wife is angry when she finds out their bank is initiating foreclosure. Charlie fears failure and decides, precipitously, to launch. Are twenty-first century American dreams just a sign of insanity? Are those who believe in dreamers only fools? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

rocket | bank | fbi | space travel | fuel | See All (157) »

Taglines:

If we don't have our dreams, we have nothing.


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, peril and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

23 February 2007 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Astronaut Farmer  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,454,319 (USA) (23 February 2007)

Gross:

$10,996,440 (USA) (20 April 2007)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Virginia Madsen and Bruce Dern are alumni from the same high school, New Trier High School, which is noted for several celebrity alumni. See more »

Goofs

A spacesuit requires external connections to a) supply air for breathing and cooling and b) remove carbon dioxide and excess heat. Thornton's character is shown wearing a spacesuit in many situations that would have resulted in both overheating (when he wasn't wearing the helmet), and suffocation (while wearing the helmet closed), since he had no portable air conditioning unit or other umbilicals connected. See more »

Quotes

Charles Farmer: So, what do you wanna be when you get out of here?
Child #2: I don't know.
Charles Farmer: What do you mean, you don't know?
Child #2: I don't know.
Charles Farmer: Well, let me tell you something, you better know what you wanna do before somebody knows it for you. Trust me.
See more »

Crazy Credits

During the credits, an interview on The Tonight Show is shown between Farmer and Jay Leno. Pictures play during the credits as well. See more »

Connections

Referenced in HypaSpace: Episode #6.25 (2007) See more »

Soundtracks

Before the Next Teardrop Falls
Written by Ben Peters and Vivian Keith
Performed by Freddy Fender
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Family movie wins again!
14 February 2007 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

This movie proves that Hollywood can make great family movies. I just saw an advanced screening of this movie in AZ and must say it was fantastic. The Polish brothers (writers, producers, directors, stars, fathers of stars) and Billy Bob Thornton were in attendance for a Q&A after the film and were quite interesting. They said this movie cost $12 million dollars to make and was done as an independent. The movie shows how a family can come together to accomplish a task and achieve a dream even when the full weight of the Gov. comes against them. No matter which side of the political aisle you are on you will find the timely shots at the government funny. This movie will hit all your emotional buttons. Support the INDEPENDENT film makers! GO SEE THIS MOVIE! By the way the two little girls who star as Billy Bob's kids are the daughters of the Polish bothers.


34 of 62 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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