October Sky
3.5/4
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, Natalie Canerday, Laura Dern, Scott Miles
Rated PG for Language, Brief Teen Sensuality and Alcohol Use, and for Some Thematic Elements
How rare it is to see a movie succeed simply because it's a good story. Sure, there isn't a weak link in the cast and the film is splendidly put together, but there's no showboating on either side of the camera. No one tries to call attention to themselves in any way, and that allows the story and the characters to take center stage. Exactly what every movie should do.
It's October 1957. The town of Coalwood, West Virginia is talking about Sputnik (much like the rest of the world), the satellite that was launched into space by the Russians. After watching it fly by, Homer Hickham (Gyllenhaal) decides that he wants to build rockets. So he, his two friends Roy Lee Cooke (Scott) and Sherman O'Dell (Lindberg), plus the class geek Quentin Wilson (Owen), decide to build them. Their attempts are met with failure, but their determination inspires the entire town. And with the help of their encouraging teacher Miss Riley (Dern), they end up going farther than they ever imagined.
Just as important to the story as the rockets is the relationship between Homer and his father, John (Cooper). John works at the coal mine, and has it in his head that Homer and his brother Jim (Miles) will follow him into the mine. But the mine is drying up, which puts the whole town in jeopardy. Plus, Homer's lack of interest in the mine and his determination to build rockets creates a lot of conflict between the two of them.
The film would not work without the terrific performances by each and every member of the cast. Jake Gyllenhaal was a rising star when the film was made, and once again he shows why he is one of the best actors of his generation. It's impossible not to be infected by his spirit. Between the starry-eyed dreamer and the stubborn son, Gyllenhaal doesn't miss a beat. Chris Cooper, no stranger to playing fiercely conservative characters, is excellent as a man whose world is changing forever. He wants his sons to be him, but the reality that they're not slowly dawns on him. Laura Dern is also very good as the warm and sunny Miss Riley, but she's underused. The film's biggest failing is that she's not in more of the film. Miss Riley is an important character, and her lack of exposure leaves a pretty big hole in the story.
Joe Johnston has been making popcorn flicks since 1989 with "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!", but his skills as a director are largely ignored. He is no hack, and has made some truly wonderful movies like "Jumanji" and the aforementioned Rick Moranis picture. If Steven Spielberg had made "The Right Stuff," it would probably turn out something like "October Sky." It has the same warm-hearted emotionality as Spielberg's early movies like "E.T." Johnston knows just how far to push each scene for maximum effect.
This is a great movie for anyone who loves science, and an excellent one for everyone who loves movies.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, Natalie Canerday, Laura Dern, Scott Miles
Rated PG for Language, Brief Teen Sensuality and Alcohol Use, and for Some Thematic Elements
How rare it is to see a movie succeed simply because it's a good story. Sure, there isn't a weak link in the cast and the film is splendidly put together, but there's no showboating on either side of the camera. No one tries to call attention to themselves in any way, and that allows the story and the characters to take center stage. Exactly what every movie should do.
It's October 1957. The town of Coalwood, West Virginia is talking about Sputnik (much like the rest of the world), the satellite that was launched into space by the Russians. After watching it fly by, Homer Hickham (Gyllenhaal) decides that he wants to build rockets. So he, his two friends Roy Lee Cooke (Scott) and Sherman O'Dell (Lindberg), plus the class geek Quentin Wilson (Owen), decide to build them. Their attempts are met with failure, but their determination inspires the entire town. And with the help of their encouraging teacher Miss Riley (Dern), they end up going farther than they ever imagined.
Just as important to the story as the rockets is the relationship between Homer and his father, John (Cooper). John works at the coal mine, and has it in his head that Homer and his brother Jim (Miles) will follow him into the mine. But the mine is drying up, which puts the whole town in jeopardy. Plus, Homer's lack of interest in the mine and his determination to build rockets creates a lot of conflict between the two of them.
The film would not work without the terrific performances by each and every member of the cast. Jake Gyllenhaal was a rising star when the film was made, and once again he shows why he is one of the best actors of his generation. It's impossible not to be infected by his spirit. Between the starry-eyed dreamer and the stubborn son, Gyllenhaal doesn't miss a beat. Chris Cooper, no stranger to playing fiercely conservative characters, is excellent as a man whose world is changing forever. He wants his sons to be him, but the reality that they're not slowly dawns on him. Laura Dern is also very good as the warm and sunny Miss Riley, but she's underused. The film's biggest failing is that she's not in more of the film. Miss Riley is an important character, and her lack of exposure leaves a pretty big hole in the story.
Joe Johnston has been making popcorn flicks since 1989 with "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!", but his skills as a director are largely ignored. He is no hack, and has made some truly wonderful movies like "Jumanji" and the aforementioned Rick Moranis picture. If Steven Spielberg had made "The Right Stuff," it would probably turn out something like "October Sky." It has the same warm-hearted emotionality as Spielberg's early movies like "E.T." Johnston knows just how far to push each scene for maximum effect.
This is a great movie for anyone who loves science, and an excellent one for everyone who loves movies.
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