Film Review: October Sky (1999)

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Americans in the past century had very different reactions when faced when aerial objects from foreign countries flying over their heads. At least this is an impression you might get after watching October Sky, 1999 period drama directed by Joe Johnston. Film is based on the memoirs of former NASA engineer Homer Hickam Jr. The plot begins in October 1957 in author’s home town of Coalwood in West Virginia. Soviet Union has just launched Sputnik and among hundreds of people who watch the sky trying to get glimpse of the frightening artificial satellite is 17-year old Homer Hickam Jr. (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). He is convinced that one day he will become NASA engineer and launch same kind of satellites into space. In order to prove that for himself and people around him he decides to build improvised rocket with the help of his friends Roy Lee Cooke (played by William Lee Scott) and Sherman O’Del (played by Chad Lindbergh). Hickam, however, knows that natural sciences aren’t exactly his forte he reluctantly adds main high school nerd Quentin Wilson (played by Chris Owen) into his group. Four teenagers, nicknamed “Rocket Boys” by townspeople, begin all kinds of tests and experiments in order to develop best possible models. Their efforts results in many failures while necessary materials are in short supply. However, biggest impediment for Hickam happens to be his father John (played by Chris Cooper), superindendent in the local mine who believes that future for Hiram, like Hickams before him, is in the mine and that Hiram’s rocket-making could only complicate matters for his brother Jim (played by Scott Thomas) who might obtain college scholarship on the account of his sports skills and thus, unlike other Hickams, escape his preordained fate. On the other hand, Miss Riley (played by Laura Dern), teacher in Homer’s school, encourages “Rocket Boys” to continue their work and take part at regional science competition.

October Sky is a film that might surprise viewers conditioned to Hollywood’s over-cliched and sentimental treatment of “feel good” real life stories. Joe Johnston, director who began his career as visual effects specialist, is handling the script by Lewis Collick that leaves little opportunity for him to show his former forte. The script generally evades clichés, both those associated with 1950s period setting and those associated with backwater rural sections of America. Population of West Virginia is shown with much more sympathy than in average Hollywood film and Collick’s script avoids even more generic black-and-white characterisation. Character of protagonist father John, the closest this film has for antagonist, is portrayed as honourable and well-intentioned man who is actually proud of his work in the mine and only wants to save his son from heart-breaking disappointment. He is well-played by Chris Cooper, actor best known for his role in Matewan, film set in similar milieu. Cooper’s excellent performance is well matched by Natalie Cardenay in the role of Hiram’s mother. However, the most impressive performance belongs to Jake Gyllenhaal, young actor for whom the role of Hiram Hickam Jr. represented major breakthrough that would lead to interesting and successful career.

Johnston, apart from very good cast, uses a good cinematography of Fred Murphy and with it captures suffocating atmosphere of small mining town where coal and its dust affects everyone and everything seems to be owned or controlled by mining company. Johnston, on the other hand, uses that bleak atmosphere to provide sharp contrast with positive message of the film – idea that reading books, using brains and perseverance would allow persons to triumph over adversity and improve their future. Although script did stray a bit from real history a bit for dramatic purposes and added some unnecessary sentimentality, this didn’t do much to undermine film’s positive message, which might be its most valuable. October Sky is a film that deserves much recommendation, especially in our increasingly grim times.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)