The Astronaut Farmer Reviews

Basically, there was a time when I would go to a video game shop (which is now closed) and I would buy there on a regular basis 5 DVDs for 5 euros and, sometimes, since I would be missing 1 DVD, I would pick up pretty much anything at random just to reach 5 movies. Anyway, following this amazing process, I ended up watching some rather obscure movies and this one was definitely one of them. Well, in this case, to be honest, the story was completely ridiculous and I’m afraid the end-result was some kind of awkward combination of drama and comedy but this combination never really worked. However, there was still some awesomeness about the whole endeavor, so this movie was a rather weird experience. Concerning Billy Bob Thornton, he might have seemed like an odd choice for such a cheesy story but I thought he was actually pretty good here. And, yet, I can’t deny it, when the guy actually pulls it off at the end, it was actually quite uplifting, even if it was actually completely ridiculous. Anyway, to conclude, even though the whole thing was really an acquired taste, I thought it was a decent watch and I think it is worth a look. 

"When I was a kid, they used to tell me that I could be anything I wanted to be, no matter what... and maybe I am insane, I don't know, but I still believe that."

The Astronaut Farmer is an amazing and inspiring movie that should leave you satisfied at the end. It is a story about keeping your dreams and never giving up, it has a strong message and a great cast to support it. It's movies like this that should be seen by more people, it certainly kept me watching intently throughout the whole movie, just waiting for Charlie Farmer to accomplish his dream.

Billy Bob Thornton is Charlie Farmer in this movie, a man with a dream to go into space and orbit the earth. But he doesn't want to go up the normal way, instead he spends his time building his own rocket in his barn. He's not an average guy either, he has great engineering skills so that keeps it more realistic. We find out that he was going to go into space through NASA, but pulled out because his Dad was sick. Ever since he has had a dream to go up into space and look down on the earth, it's his dream that he never gives up. But things get more complicated, his family's money is scarce and the bank threatens to take his property, and even worse, the FBI start investigating. It's one of those movies that you just want him to get up there in space and accomplish his dream.

This is something you'd expect from Billy Bob when he's not making those insanely funny comedy movies, he's great in roles like this. Apart from just few scenes, to me the whole cast were amazing. As Charlie's supportive family, his wife is played by Virginia Madsen. She wasn't half bad, but I really liked Max Thieriot in his role in this movie as Charlie's son Shepard. Bruce Willis also had a role in this movie, I would have liked to have seen more of him but it was great to see him in this film. Just because it is something different to what he normally does, and he had a great character personality too..

This is satisfying and fun to watch, as well as being inspirational this is a pleasure to see, I recommend this to anyone who likes these types of films, you won't be disappointed.

Charlie Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) has always had a dream: to go to the moon. So, piece by piece, he builds a rocket in his barn.
With the help of his son Shepard, his two daughters and most of all, with the encouragement of his wife Audrey (Virginia Madsen), and despite the fact the bank will soon be seizing his property, Charlie does not lose sight of his dream and never gives up.

A wonderful cast. Thornton is surprisingly good in this role, and Madsen's "Audie" is a truly devoted wife who loves her Charlie very much. Bruce Willis has a small role as a NASA Captain and it is nice to see him in such a movie (it changes him from all those action films).

A great film about dreams and hope.
Recommended to everyone.
Watch as a family, you'll love it.