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IMDbPro

The Astronaut Farmer

  • 20062006
  • PGPG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
23K
YOUR RATING
Billy Bob Thornton in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Bros. Pictures
Play trailer0:32
11 Videos
62 Photos
AdventureDramaSci-Fi
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... Read allA 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 threats to stop him.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 threats to stop him.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
23K
YOUR RATING
    • Michael Polish
    • Mark Polish
    • Michael Polish
  • Stars
    • Billy Bob Thornton
    • Virginia Madsen
    • Bruce Dern
    • Michael Polish
    • Mark Polish
    • Michael Polish
  • Stars
    • Billy Bob Thornton
    • Virginia Madsen
    • Bruce Dern
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 146User reviews
    • 98Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos11

    The Astronaut Farmer
    Trailer 0:32
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Trailer 0:27
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Clip 1:02
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Clip 1:03
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Clip 1:05
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Featurette 0:10
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Featurette 0:21
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Featurette 0:29
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Interview 0:24
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Interview 0:57
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Interview 0:58
    Watch The Astronaut Farmer

    Photos62

    Sal Lopez in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton, Logan Polish, and Jasper Polish in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Virginia Madsen and Max Thieriot in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton and Kathleen Arc in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton and Kathleen Arc in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Virginia Madsen and Bruce Dern in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton and Logan Polish in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Virginia Madsen in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Dern in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
    Billy Bob Thornton in The Astronaut Farmer (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Billy Bob Thornton
    Billy Bob Thornton
    • Charles Farmer
    Virginia Madsen
    Virginia Madsen
    • Audrey 'Audie' Farmer
    Bruce Dern
    Bruce Dern
    • Hal
    Max Thieriot
    Max Thieriot
    • Shepard Farmer
    Jasper Polish
    Jasper Polish
    • Stanley Farmer
    Logan Polish
    Logan Polish
    • Sunshine Farmer
    Mark Polish
    Mark Polish
    • FBI Agent Mathis
    Jon Gries
    Jon Gries
    • FBI Agent Killbourne
    Tim Blake Nelson
    Tim Blake Nelson
    • Kevin Munchak
    Sal Lopez
    Sal Lopez
    • Pepe Garcia
    J.K. Simmons
    J.K. Simmons
    • Jacobson
    Kiersten Warren
    Kiersten Warren
    • Phyllis
    Rick Overton
    Rick Overton
    • Arnold 'Arnie' Millard
    Richard Edson
    Richard Edson
    • Chopper Miller
    Elise Eberle
    Elise Eberle
    • Madison Roberts
    Julie White
    Julie White
    • Beth Goode
    Graham Beckel
    Graham Beckel
    • Frank
    Marshall Bell
    Marshall Bell
    • Judge Miller
      • Michael Polish
      • Mark Polish
      • Michael Polish
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Farmer is about to launch, Shepard says: "Cleared for launch at zero hour nine a.m.," an homage to the Elton John song "Rocket Man."
    • Goofs
      Farmer is able to communicate with his ground controller, Sheppard, throughout the flight, except when his radio system is not operational due to a malfunction. In fact, radio transmissions are only possible if the antenna of the transmitter has a "line of sight" to the receiver. Farmer could not speak with his ground controller when he was on the other side of the Earth. NASA uses a series of antennas located around the world to receive and relay radio signals to Houston, the home of NASA Mission Comtrol at the Johnson Space Center.
    • Quotes

      Charles Farmer: You see, 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.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Norbit/Factory Girl/The Astronaut Farmer/Because I Said So/The Situation (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)
      Written by Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman

      Performed by Waylon Jennings

      Courtesy of The RCA Label Group RLG/Nashville

      By arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

    User reviews146

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    A Great Rocket Ride
    This is a wonderful movie. Simple and elegantly made. There are many layers to this movie that haven't been written about on this site. More like frustration and negativity seem to fuel these message boards. Cynicism is alive and well. The knit-pickers can make a nice lint blindfold if they choose not to see this movie for what it is: entertainment. Like Spielberg, Capra and many others the Polish brothers have arrived with a classic piece of storytelling.

    The Polish Brothers have depth and while it seems it's their glossy turn to make a Hollywood movie they continue with their wit and edge, try and spot "The Last Supper" scene. Look for the homage to "The Right Stuff", "Apollo 13" and "Armageddon". The son is named Shepard after the astronaut. And I assume that the daughter is named Stanley after Stanley Kubrick since the Grandpa is named HAL ( 2001 : Space Odyssey). There's definitely an undertone for the hardcore Polish brothers fans. The dialogue alone is worth the price admission. Of course you'll need to suspend your disbelief for a story that seems so far fetched, a man launching himself into space, although I have read of 2 rocket men who have attempted this same idea-- but every time you walk into a movie theater you have to surrender some logic. Just the fact it's called a "movie" should tell you something before you purchase the ticket.

    It's unfortunate that most reviewers feel like victims and have a need to share their boredom. I can imagine this movie not doing good with men who have lost their inspiration or desire. My brother in fact didn't like this movie because he said it wasn't possible. I don't remember him having this much trouble with "E.T." or "Forest Gump". My brother gave up his dream of being a writer, he now teaches high school drama. I debated with him over the fact this movie is also metaphorical and it's about everyones dream. That is why the rocket is named "The Dreamer" because everyone is dreamer, or has a dream they're building. This movie really shook up my brother and his dislike of this movie should motivate him.

    I enjoyed this movie so much. I was able to bring my dad, kids and husband and that in itself is a triumph and the filmmakers should be awarded for that.

    9 out of 10 stars, only because I am keeping one star for my dream.
    helpful•112
    35
    • manoymano
    • Feb 22, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 23, 2007 (United States)
      • United States
      • Warner Bros. Pictures (United States)
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • White Sands, New Mexico, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Spring Creek Pictures
      • Polish Brothers Construction
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 44 minutes
      • Color
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS

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