The Astronaut farmer Reviews
Michael Smith Tulsa World
The filmmakers employ a good measure of schmaltz and shamelessly set up the rocket man with all of the dream-crushing road blocks you can imagine. But the good-natured affability of the whole thing works
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 8, 2020
Mattie Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)
It is a charming, endearingly old-fashioned piece of feel-good fluff that wears its heart on its plaid flannel sleeve, but it is as warm and familiar as grandma's old quilt on a cold winter night.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 6, 2019
Megan Basham WORLD
While The Astronaut Farmer may occasionally get its priorities mixed up, it is refreshing to spend some time with a movie that acknowledges the unique role that men play in families-a role that cannot be filled by any of today's trendy substitutes.
Full Review | Oct 16, 2018
Dennis Harvey Variety
Thornton carries the film with relaxed authority, though the earnest tone doesn't let him explore the nuttier aspects of a character who, from any reasoned distance ought look more screwy than heroic.
Full Review | Jul 6, 2010
Fernando F. Croce CinePassion
Self-fondling Americana
Full Review | Aug 27, 2009
Tony Macklin Fayetteville Free Weekly
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 | Original Score: 2.0/5 | Feb 2, 2009
Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films
Full Review | Original Score: B- | Oct 29, 2008
Brandon Fibbs BrandonFibbs.com
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 | Original Score: 5/10 | Feb 28, 2008
John J. Puccio Movie Metropolis
It's hard not to like this goofy little film...engaging and uplifting for young and old.
Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Jun 26, 2007
Stax IGN Movies
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 | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 25, 2007
Beth Accomando KPBS.org
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 | Mar 23, 2007
Mark Palermo The Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
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 | Mar 15, 2007
Lori Hoffman Atlantic City Weekly
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 | Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 14, 2007
Linda Cook Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
As sweet as new-mown hay, "The Astronaut Farmer" is a gentle movie about pursuing dreams regardless of the cost.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 9, 2007
Sean McBride Sean the Movie Guy
a quirky, feel-good flick that espouses the virtues of following your dreams, no matter how improbable.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 7, 2007
Joshua Rothkopf Time Out
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 | Original Score: 3/6 | Mar 3, 2007
Peter Sobczynski eFilmCritic.com
A wise, weird and wonderful indie film that is chock-full of quirky characters, intriguing situations and sly social satire.
Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 3, 2007
Jim Lane
...scientifically implausible, even laughable, but emotionally it's irresistible...
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 2, 2007
Karina Montgomery rec.arts.movies.reviews
Pretty photography and excellent casting cannot redeem this contrived (for reasons other than the actual idea, which is a good one) story.
Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Mar 1, 2007
Bruce Bennett Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
If 'feel good' is a film objective worthy of ridicule, then call this reviewer a space cadet.
Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Feb 28, 2007