October Sky doesn’t tread new ground—in fact, you’ll be forgiven for rolling your eyes at a couple of cliches, including the classic “Those are your dreams, dad, not mine!” moments—but it’s so unassuming and well-made that it’s hard not to get drawn in by its many charms. There’s Gyllenhaal’s breakthrough performance for one, and the small town coming together to help each other out for another. Perhaps because the film is based on Homer Hickman’s true story, it also feels more specific and lived in than most period pieces. And it smartly avoids villainizing young Hickam’s adversaries so that they feel more real and nuanced, as opposed to the other far-fetched parts of the film. Sure, the overuse of sweeping music can feel cloying at times, but stellar performances across the board and confident direction overall make it a heartwarming, inspiring winner.
Synopsis
Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and eventually became a NASA scientist.
Storyline
Based on a biography by NASA engineer Homer Hickam, the film follows Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his friends as they work on an amateur rocket and defy the expectations of their small coal mining town.
TLDR
Young Jake Gyllenhaal doing October Sky and Donnie Darko back to back like the freak (complimentary) that he is!
What stands out
It’s hard not get swept up by the film’s saccharine but rousing score, which I think is a uniquely (and charmingly) ‘90s thing.
