(2007, 104 min) What happens when you take a premise with a forgone conclusion and fashion a shooting script around it? You might get something resembling The Astronaut Farmer. Filled with good old cornpone platitudes and cliched soliloquies, the monologues and dialogues feel somewhat forced and prefabricated. Michael Polish, along with brother Mark, more known for quirky, indie films like Twin Falls Idaho and Northfork, are here turned into the typical Hollywood generic director and writer, why they were given this project or why they bid for it, is anybody’s guess.
Billy Bob Thornton, playing the would-be astronaut, Charles Farmer, displays his typical characterization of the troubled individual loner, smoothly taking the lead. Virginia Madsen plays a strong supporting role as his wife, investing as much emotion as possible. Farmer comes up hard against the FAA when his plans to launch himself into space make him a celebrity in his small Texas town. Redeeming qualities of the film include an above average eye for compositional framing and a wide, cinematic approach to the country landscape.
The world seems to be against Farmer, making him automatically the heir apparent for the title of bona fide “American Hero.” Constantly painting with wide strokes, leaving no room for much needed character development, the script is almost always sinking into oblivion. The centerpiece is a spectacular misfire as Farmer prematurely launches himself horizontally across the ranch lands, seriously injuring himself. This turns the film into a greater illustration of a personal struggle, pitting a man and his vision against reality. This failure leads to the third act, a second attempt to launch with a rocket dubbed, “The Dreamer.” These final minutes are the most satisfying, developing a contemplative tone with realistic special effects. Still, one leaves the film wishing much more had transpired.
© TLA Entertainment Group
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