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The Astronaut Farmer

  • 20062006
  • PGPG
  • 1h 44min
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Polish
  • Writers
    • Mark Polish
    • Michael Polish
  • Stars
    • Billy Bob Thornton
    • Virginia Madsen
    • Bruce Dern
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Polish
  • Writers
    • Mark Polish
    • Michael Polish
  • Stars
    • Billy Bob Thornton
    • Virginia Madsen
    • Bruce Dern
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 146User reviews
    • 97Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Videos11

    The Astronaut Farmer
    Trailer 0:32
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Trailer 0:27
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Clip 1:02
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Clip 1:03
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Clip 1:05
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Featurette 0:10
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Featurette 0:21
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Featurette 0:29
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Interview 0:24
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Interview 0:57
    The Astronaut Farmer
    The Astronaut Farmer
    Interview 0:58
    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 Farmeras Charles Farmer
    Virginia Madsen
    Virginia Madsen
    • Audrey 'Audie' Farmeras Audrey 'Audie' Farmer
    Bruce Dern
    Bruce Dern
    • Halas Hal
    Max Thieriot
    Max Thieriot
    • Shepard Farmeras Shepard Farmer
    Jasper Polish
    Jasper Polish
    • Stanley Farmeras Stanley Farmer
    Logan Polish
    Logan Polish
    • Sunshine Farmeras Sunshine Farmer
    Mark Polish
    Mark Polish
    • FBI Agent Mathisas FBI Agent Mathis
    Jon Gries
    Jon Gries
    • FBI Agent Killbourneas FBI Agent Killbourne
    Tim Blake Nelson
    Tim Blake Nelson
    • Kevin Munchakas Kevin Munchak
    Sal Lopez
    Sal Lopez
    • Pepe Garciaas Pepe Garcia
    J.K. Simmons
    J.K. Simmons
    • Jacobsonas Jacobson
    Kiersten Warren
    Kiersten Warren
    • Phyllisas Phyllis
    Rick Overton
    Rick Overton
    • Arnold 'Arnie' Millardas Arnold 'Arnie' Millard
    Richard Edson
    Richard Edson
    • Chopper Milleras Chopper Miller
    Elise Eberle
    Elise Eberle
    • Madison Robertsas Madison Roberts
    Julie White
    Julie White
    • Beth Goodeas Beth Goode
    Graham Beckel
    Graham Beckel
    • Frankas Frank
    Marshall Bell
    Marshall Bell
    • Judge Milleras Judge Miller
    • Director
      • Michael Polish
    • Writers
      • Mark Polish
      • Michael Polish
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    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? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    surname in titlealtered version of studio logofbi federal bureau of investigationrocketbank155 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • If we don't have our dreams, we have nothing.
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Drama
      • Sci-Fi
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for thematic material, peril and language
    • Parents guide

    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 Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Norbit/Factory Girl/The Astronaut Farmer/Because I Said So/The Situation (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      The Imperial March
      Written and Performed by John Williams (as John T. Williams)

      Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

    User reviews146

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Follow the dream!
    When you have had Halle Berry (Monster's Ball) and been married to Angelina Jolie, one would think there are no more mountains to climb. But, Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) had a dream to go into space. The fact that life gave him lemons didn't stop that dream. The fact that the FAA (J.K. Simmons) and the FBI tried to stop him did not stop that dream.

    He had a wife (Virginia Madsen) that supported that dream and a family behind him and he realized the dream.

    So what if the premise is crazy. Aren't all big dreams a little crazy. I bet people thought Barack Obama crazy when he set out to achieve his dream. If he has half the determination of Charles Farmer, he may just make it.

    For all the dreamers out there, and for me, this is just about the most feel-good movie I have ever seen. And, isn't that why we watch movies? That and the chance to see Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie naked.
    helpful•9
    7
    • lastliberal
    • Feb 25, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 23, 2007 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros. Pictures (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Le fermier astronaute
    • 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

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,003,643
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,454,319
      • Feb 25, 2007
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,130,889
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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