The Astronaut Farmer (2006)

A NASA astronaut (Thornton), 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 threats to stop him.

Director:

Michael Polish

Writers:

Mark Polish, Michael Polish

Stars:

Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce Dern

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Charles Farmer
Virginia Madsen	...	Audrey 'Audie' Farmer
Max Thieriot	...	Shepard Farmer
Jasper Polish	...	Stanley Farmer
Logan Polish	...	Sunshine Farmer
Bruce Dern	...	Hal
Mark Polish	...	FBI Agent Mathis
Jon Gries	...	FBI Agent Killbourne
Tim Blake Nelson	...	Kevin Munchak
Sal Lopez	...	Pepe Garcia
J.K. Simmons	...	Jacobson
Kiersten Warren	...	Phyllis
Rick Overton	...	Arnold 'Arnie' Millard
Richard Edson	...	Chopper Miller
Elise Eberle	...	Madison Roberts

Storyline

Texan Charles Farmer left the Air Force as a young man to save the family ranch when his dad died. Like most American ranchers, he owes his bank. Unlike most, he's an astrophysicist with a rocket in his barn - one he's built and wants to take into space. It's his dream. The FBI puts him under surveillance when he tries to buy rocket fuel; the FAA stalls him when he files a flight plan - it's post-9/11, after all. His wife is angry when she finds out their bank is initiating foreclosure. Charlie fears failure and decides, precipitously, to launch. Are twenty-first century American dreams just a sign of insanity? Are those who believe in dreamers only fools?

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Plot Keywords:

rocket | bank | fbi | space travel | fuel | 

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Taglines:

If we don't have our dreams, we have nothing.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, peril and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Warner Bros. Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

23 February 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Astronaut Farmer

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,454,319 (USA) (23 February 2007)

Gross:

$10,996,440 (USA) (20 April 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Spring Creek Pictures, Polish Brothers Construction

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Virginia Madsen and Bruce Dern are alumni from the same high school, New Trier High School, which is noted for several celebrity alumni.

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Goofs

When the first, failed launch attempt causes the rocket to tear across the terrain horizontally, the rocket shoots right through a billboard, leaving a hole only about three feet across, much smaller than the diameter of the rocket.

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Quotes

Charles Farmer: So, what do you wanna be when you get out of here?
Child #2: I don't know.
Charles Farmer: What do you mean, you don't know?
Child #2: I don't know.
Charles Farmer: Well, let me tell you something, you better know what you wanna do before somebody knows it for you. Trust me.

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Crazy Credits

During the credits, an interview on The Tonight Show is shown between Farmer and Jay Leno. Pictures play during the credits as well.

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Connections

Referenced in HypaSpace: Episode #6.25 (2007)

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Soundtracks

The Imperial March
Written and Performed by John Williams (as John T. Williams)
Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

User Reviews

Family movie wins again!

This movie proves that Hollywood can make great family movies. I just saw an advanced screening of this movie in AZ and must say it was fantastic. The Polish brothers (writers, producers, directors, stars, fathers of stars) and Billy Bob Thornton were in attendance for a Q&A after the film and were quite interesting. They said this movie cost $12 million dollars to make and was done as an independent. The movie shows how a family can come together to accomplish a task and achieve a dream even when the full weight of the Gov. comes against them. No matter which side of the political aisle you are on you will find the timely shots at the government funny. This movie will hit all your emotional buttons. Support the INDEPENDENT film makers! GO SEE THIS MOVIE! By the way the two little girls who star as Billy Bob's kids are the daughters of the Polish bothers.