If you build it, it will fly

"October Sky"
Overall Rating: ****


There are two things that happen surprisingly infrequently in modern movies: people giving up on a bad film and walking out halfway through, and people applauding a good film. "October Sky" got a standing ovation from about a half dozen people--and deserved it.

Homer Hickum (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a high school boy in a small West Virginia coal-mining town. He never really thought about the future until October 4, 1957--when he sees Sputnik fly overhead. Inspired by the sight, he decides to try and build his own rocket. With the encouragement of his teacher, Miss Riley (Laura Dern), and the help of his best friends Roy Lee (William Lee Scott) and O'Dell (Chad Lindberg), and additional help from his new-found friend, the class nerd Quinton (Chris Owen), he sets out to build rockets. It seems inevitable that they will manage to build a rocket that doesn't blow up on the launch pad. The real question is whether Homer's father (Chris Cooper), the mine foreman, will ever come to terms with his son's rocketry.

The story of Homer's attempts to build rockets is engrossing. Amusing at times, exciting at others, "October Sky" pulls you in completely. The interesting story is only bolstered by the filmmakers' attention to detail. Music from 1950's and carefully constructed sets make give the film a good feel--if you didn't know better, you might even think the film was made in the 50's. Perhaps the best, though most subtle, touch: when Homer is launching his rockets, it's sunny, yet most of the shots of the mine are at night or in the rain.

Chris Cooper is very good as John Hickum. His character is proud of how he has advanced in the mine, and doesn't see a way for his son to get out of the mining town. As the one person in town who doesn't understand his son, a lesser actor could have made him odious, but he isn't; he simply doesn't understand, regards his son's hopes as foolish, and doesn't want to see him let down. Jake Gyllenhaal is also amazing. He is young, but that doesn't keep him from turning in a skillful performance.

The main problem with "October Sky" is a confusing situation towards the end. Without giving away the end, Homer's father does something to help him, though it isn't completely clear how what he does is a necessary prerequisite for what Homer needs. Its own promotion is a huge problem, giving away what happens to Homer. The movie also condones a theft by Homer and his friends; though the fact that the story is based on a true story, and the fact that what is stolen is abandoned by its owner and beyond the means of the youthful thieves are both mitigating circumstances.

Despite these problems, "October Sky" is a very good choice for the whole family. There is little bad language, only nominal violence, and very little sexual content. The thematic content may be too intense for very young children. Yet Homer, on balance, is an admirable character who manages to follow his dreams but also assumes responsibility when his family needs him. The adventure and comic aspects balance the heavier moments, and the youthful but mature hero probably all make the film a good choice for kids.

Its commercials compare "October Sky" to "Field of Dreams." Though "October Sky" lacks the fantasy aspects of "Field of Dreams," the two films are very similar in feel, and if you liked "Field of Dreams," you'll like "October Sky." It's an interesting film that, like Homer's rockets, reaches great heights.

Title: October Sky
Release date: February 19, 1999

MPAA rating: PG
Overall rating: ****

Aprox. run time: 108 min.
Director: Joe Johnston
Writer: Lewis Colick, Homer H. Hickum Jr. (book)
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper

Original URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion/7045/OctSky.htm

Added to blog site: 8/3/09