Billy Bob Thornton builds his very own rocket ship in this inspirational fable.
The Astronaut Farmer represents the first major studio effort from twin brothers Mark and Michael Polish, who burst on the scene in 1999 with their indie hit Twin Falls Idaho.
Billy Bob Thornton stars as Charles Farmer, a small-town rancher so determined to fulfill his dream of space flight that he constructs his very own rocket using discarded parts collected from NASA's junkyard. While most of the townsfolk politely dismiss him as a delusional eccentric, Farmer enjoys the unquestioned support of his family, led by his cautiously devoted wife Audie (Virginia Madsen).
Naturally, Farmer's efforts -- most notably, his attempt to purchase thousands of pounds of rocket fuel -- attract the attention of various government agencies, including the FAA, Department of Homeland Security and Child Protective Services. Undeterred, Farmer doggedly pushes onward despite mounting resistance and the looming specter of financial ruin.
Typically, this is the point when cynicism enters the frame, when the dark underbelly is exposed, when a collection of body parts is found in Charles Farmer's refrigerator. But the Polish brothers' story remains resolute in its earnestness, and the effort ultimately pays off in spades. The Astronaut Farmer is an inspirational fable about the power of dreams and the necessity of dreamers.
The movie requires some adjustment on the part of its viewers, especially those of us who watch hundreds of movies each year. You have to buy into not only the film's premise -- that a man could travel to space almost entirely on his own -- but also its unflinching adherence to its old-fashioned credo.
Everything here is exaggerated: Farmer's relentless drive, his wife's devotion, the kids' wide-eyed innocence. But, if you're capable of the almost Herculean suspension of disbelief that the film asks of you, you'll be rewarded.
The Polish Brothers' approach is one that might have failed miserably in the hands of less credible actors. Billy Bob Thornton exudes charm as the rancher turned would-be astronaut, and Virginia Madsen anchors the film as his wife. It's Madsen's best performance since her Oscar-nominated -- and career-reviving -- turn in Sideways.
The Astronaut Farmer is quite aware of its saccharine nature, to be sure, but there's no winking at the camera. The Polish brothers make a half-hearted stab at political relevance by sneaking in a few barbs about the Patriot Act and the fruitless search for WMDs, but it's not nearly enough to detract from the movie's feel-good message.
The vast majority of works that encourage the same kind of underdog, against-all-odds pursuit of a dream depicted in The Astronaut Farmer are invariably sports or entertainment themed, like Rocky or Rudy or even American Idol. Sure, The Astronaut Farmer may lack realism, but there are worse things that one can do than encourage young people to get more interested in becoming astronauts or rocket scientists, as opposed to some sort of disposable pop singer.
ReelzChannel Rating: 