The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

58% Tomatometer 137 Reviews 49% Audience Score 250,000+ Ratings

Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton), a rancher who once trained to be an astronaut, decides to fulfill a lifelong dream: He builds a rocket in his barn and plans to pilot it into space. Though he faces foreclosure on his ranch, the disbelief of his neighbors and threats from the government, Charles remains determined to reach for the stars. Read More Read Less

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The Astronaut farmer

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Critics Consensus

The Astronaut Farmer is a charming, inspirational drama that successfully avoids modern cinematic cliches while appealing to the optimistic dreamer in all of us.

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Critics Reviews

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The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (1) 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. Jul 6, 2010 Full Review The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Rated: B- Oct 29, 2008 Full Review The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (3) 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. Rated: 3/6 Mar 3, 2007 Full Review The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (4) 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 Rated: 3/4 Sep 8, 2020 Full Review The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (5) 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. Rated: 3/4 Jun 6, 2019 Full Review The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (6) 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. Oct 16, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Astronaut or astro-nut some would call somebody reaching for the stars in the most unlikely fashion Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Masden, Max Theriot, JK Simmons, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce Willis, and Bruce Dern Charles Farmer is a former pilot discharged from the Air Force, now he is of a course a farmer, he lives with his family in the countryside of Texas and ultimately dreams about going into outer space He hopes to actually build his own rocket ship in his own backyard but everyone feels he's losing his mind The fact that he wants to do this by himself is a tall order but Charles is facing foreclosure on his residence not to mention it's possible according to many he might blow himself up or the government might take him in for building a weapon of mass destruction Charles is reaching for the stars like so many and he's not going to let any limitations stand in the way Thankfully he has the loving support of his family behind him to make his dream come true, his wife Audie always believes in him He becomes a media sensation across the world You can be anything you want to be no matter what, somewhere along the line we stop believing we can do anything, you better know what you want to do before someone else does it for you This is a good inspirational drama albeit it's one we've seen many times Has a lot more quiet intimate moments for sure and it stinks Bruce Dern isn't in the movie a lot But Thornton's performance is skyrocketing with some good natured affability Anyone with a dream like this can face the roadblocks but there's no barrier to dreaming the impossible Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/24 Full Review Audience Member Astronaut or astro-nut some would call somebody reaching for the stars in the most unlikely fashion Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Masden, Max Theriot, JK Simmons, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce Willis, and Bruce Dern Charles Farmer is a former pilot discharged from the Air Force, now he is of a course a farmer, he lives with his family in the countryside of Texas and ultimately dreams about going into outer space He hopes to actually build his own rocket ship in his own backyard but everyone feels he's losing his mind The fact that he wants to do this by himself is a tall order but Charles is facing foreclosure on his residence not to mention it's possible according to many he might blow himself up or the government might take him in for building a weapon of mass destruction Charles is reaching for the stars like so many and he's not going to let any limitations stand in the way Thankfully he has the loving support of his family behind him to make his dream come true, his wife Audie always believes in him He becomes a media sensation across the world You can be anything you want to be no matter what, somewhere along the line we stop believing we can do anything, you better know what you want to do before someone else does it for you This is a good inspirational drama albeit it's one we've seen many times Has a lot more quiet intimate moments for sure and it stinks Bruce Dern isn't in the movie a lot But Thornton's performance is skyrocketing with some good natured affability Anyone with a dream like this can face the roadblocks but there's no barrier to dreaming the impossible Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review robert p While not a great movie (how did he get all the parts for a rocket) still its inspiring to full fill a dream!!!! Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review nate m This is an inspirational story - and I love them! Especially about going into space. And even more because I worked on America's space program in the seventies as an engineer. PROS: Billy Bob Thornton was the perfect astronaut. The movie dares you to DREAM big, and follow your dream. CONS: Too long. Anyone could easily cut 45 minutes with no loss of anything. CONCLUSION: Hollywood always makes great "follow your dream" movies. This movie is not great, but it is good. And it's much better than the low rating by many critics. I guess they're pissed that they never followed their dream. I did. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I think this was a good movie for $30 million it had a good budget for a big movie. it was fun and we'll written even. if the critics giving it iffy reviews but I'm giving it 5 stars because it's a interesting film Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/20 Full Review Audience Member I wasn’t planning to watch this movie, but I’m glad I did. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/01/19 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Michael Polish Director Billy Bob Thornton Charles Farmer Virginia Madsen Audie Bruce Dern Hal Tim Blake Nelson Kevin Munchak Jon Gries Kilborne
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Synopsis Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton), a rancher who once trained to be an astronaut, decides to fulfill a lifelong dream: He builds a rocket in his barn and plans to pilot it into space. Though he faces foreclosure on his ranch, the disbelief of his neighbors and threats from the government, Charles remains determined to reach for the stars.

Director
Michael Polish

Producer
Mark Polish, Paula Weinstein, Len Amato, Michael Polish

Screenwriter
Michael Polish, Mark Polish

Distributor
Warner Bros.

Production Co
Spring Creek Productions, Polish Brothers Construction

Rating
PG (Thematic Material|Peril|Language)

Genre
Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 23, 2007, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 1, 2011

Box Office (Gross USA)
$11.0M

Runtime
1h 45m

Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS

Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Most Popular at Home Now
The Astronaut farmer | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

How does The Astronaut Farmer end? ›

After orbiting Earth nine times and suffering a brief period of a communication blackout, Charles returns safely and is given a hero's welcome home, appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and as seen in still photos shown during the end credits, while playing Elton John's "Rocket Man".

Who was the farmer who became an astronaut? ›

His family immigrated from Mexico in the early 60s. He worked on a farm before pursuing his dream of becoming an astronaut. He says the month means a lot to him. Next year Netflix will begin production on a film about Jose Hernandez's life and journey into space.

What is the astronaut farmer rated? ›

The Astronaut Farmer [2007] [PG] - 1.3. 3 | Parents' Guide & Review | Kids-In-Mind.com. SEX/NUDITY 1 - A husband and wife kiss and snuggle in bed, and a husband and wife kiss in several scenes. ► Men and women dance together at a party.

How much of A Million Miles Away is true? ›

Is 'A Million Miles Away' a true story? Yes, the film is based on Hernández's autobiography, “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut,” released in 2012.

How old was José Hernández when he was accepted to NASA? ›

Despite being rejected year after year, Hernández applied 12 times to NASA's training program before being accepted in 2004 at the age of 42. The film shows him keeping every rejection letter, but the director doesn't actually believe he kept them.

Who was the Mexican guy who went to space? ›

José Moreno Hernández (born August 7, 1962) is a Mexican-American engineer and astronaut. He currently serves as a Regent of the University of California. French Camp, California, U.S. Hernández was assigned to the crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-128.

Is astronaut farmer on Amazon Prime? ›

Prime Video: The Astronaut Farmer.

What movie is the farmer becoming astronaut? ›

A biopic about Jose Hernandez and his path from a farm worker to becoming an engineer and an astronaut.

What is the movie about the guy who builds his own rocket? ›

A NASA astronaut, 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 th...

Who does Farmer Neil end up with? ›

Neil found happiness with Justine on the show and although the pair managed to date for a few months in the real world, their romance looks to be over.

How does the farmer's bride end? ›

“The Farmer's Bride” Themes

The farmer, meanwhile, thinks only of how his wife might fulfill his own desires, and the poem ends with him ominously lusting after her body in a way that suggests he may soon force himself on her (or perhaps that he already has).

How does Space Cowboys end? ›

Frank recalls a maneuver Hawk had used before, purposely stalling the shuttle to drop its speed quickly and allowing him to land the shuttle safely. The film ends with the Frank Sinatra song "Fly Me to the Moon", zooming in on the surface of the Moon showing that Hawk had indeed landed there before he died.

What movie does man build his own rocket? ›

A NASA astronaut, 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 th...

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