The Astronaut Farmer
A Texas rancher risks his family’s financial security and the authorities’ patience to pursue his homemade route into space.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sincere
- whimsical
- hopeful
- family movie night
- inspirational viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film charming and sincere, praising its optimistic family-friendly appeal and visual imagination while noting its conventional inspirational formula.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Charles Farmer builds a space rocket while managing ranch debt, foreclosure pressure, marriage, and parenthood.
The film juxtaposes a handmade rocket and spacesuit with a small Texas town, ranch buildings, and horseback riding.
The FBI surveils Charles and the FAA obstructs his flight plan because of security concerns and his unconventional project.
Charles's launch plans collide with bank foreclosure, unpaid obligations, and his wife's anger over the family's precarious finances.
Films like The Astronaut Farmer, and why
October Sky
shared inspirational family drama, grounded Americana, and determined dreamer protagonist
The Mighty
shared uplifting coming-of-age optimism, rural setting, and pursuit of an unlikely scientific dream
Big Fish
shared eccentric Americana, heartfelt family relationships, and whimsical belief in extraordinary possibilities
Field of Dreams
shared family-friendly adventure, idealistic ambition, and sentimental wonder
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Polish
- Release Date
- 2007-02-23
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (384)
Cast
- Billy Bob Thornton
- Virginia Madsen
- Max Thieriot
- Jasper Polish
- Logan Polish
- Jon Gries
- Mark Polish
- Bruce Dern
- Tim Blake Nelson
- Sal Lopez
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Astronaut Farmer about?
- A Texas rancher risks his family’s financial security and the authorities’ patience to pursue his homemade route into space.
- What is The Astronaut Farmer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Astronaut Farmer as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Astronaut Farmer violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Astronaut Farmer.
- What did critics think of The Astronaut Farmer?
- Critics broadly found the film charming and sincere, praising its optimistic family-friendly appeal and visual imagination while noting its conventional inspirational formula.
- Which films are like The Astronaut Farmer?
- Films with a similar feel include October Sky, The Mighty, Big Fish, and Field of Dreams.
- How long is The Astronaut Farmer?
- The Astronaut Farmer runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Astronaut Farmer?
- In United States, The Astronaut Farmer is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
