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Poster for The Astronaut Farmer

The Astronaut Farmer

2007 · 1h 44m · PG Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction
Directed by Michael Polish

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Overview

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, and the FAA stalls him when he files a flight plan – but Charles is undeterred.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
58%
Tomatometer
Rotten

Fueled by a decidedly American formula of can-do crazy, The Astronaut Farmer feels, for all its libertarianism, a little lost in space.

Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
Rotten

Too odd for a studio movie, too cornpone for the independent scene, The Astronaut Farmer</i? finds its creators stuck awkwardly between worlds, making what amounts to a deep curiosity.

Scott Tobias, AV Club
Fresh

You either roll with the hokum or you don't. If you do, the essential message of realizing your dreams flies as well as Jimmy Stewart's angel wings. If you don't, reality is as close as the nearest window.

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Rotten

A mysterious little movie about a man following his dream, The Astronaut Farmer seems to be a visitor from some alternative universe, a place where logic and reason and recognizable human behavior have little reign.

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Fresh

The Astronaut Farmer's goofy quality makes it totally endearing. It's also super entertaining. Critics are fond of referring to movies as a 'great ride.' With this one, the words couldn't be more apt.

Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

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