October Sky, based on the book by Homer Hickam Jr. - 9 out 10

October Sky, based on the book by Homer Hickam Jr.
9 out 10


This is not just a memorable, wonderful motion picture, it is also Inspiring and based on a true story.
Jake Gyllenhaal is exceptional in the leading role of Homer, a very gifted, brave, intrepid and resilient teenager.

After World War II, The United States and Soviet Union have engaged in a confrontation without taking it to the battle field.
Not directly anyway, although they clashed with each other in proxy wars, where the communists supported one side and the Americans the other.

One important moment in this Cold War was the launching of the Sputnik satellite, which gave the Russians the edge in the fight to conquer space.
The people of the small town of Coalwood are mystified by the news that Sputnik would fly in the orbit and they gather to see it in the sky, like all other compatriots, unhappy, desolated that the soviets have taken the lead.

Some even worried that their adversaries could bomb their town.
Amusingly, the replica is that they have nothing to fear, there is nothing of interest in Coalwood.

As an immediate consequence of this event, at breakfast the following day after they hear the transmission of sounds from hundreds of miles above the earth, Homer announces that he would build a rocket.
That is very well, only his father, John Hickam played by the wondrous Chris Cooper, reminding us of his mean character in American Beauty, has other plans for his son.

John Hickam is an important leader, the manager of the coal mine that employs most if not all the men of the community.
He is the one who negotiates with the owners and struggles to keep the mine open, even if the profits seem to dwindle and it could be closed...up to the moment of course when Trump, the retrograde clown in love with medieval technology would insist on warming the planet furthermore, burning coal.
 A couple of days ago, while visiting the devastation brought by calamitous fires in California, he said that he "wants wonderful climate and this is what we are going to get"

It is hard to find someone more ridiculous than this buffoon.

John Hickam has worked in the mine all his life, saving in one incident shown in the film, the life of one miner who has made a serious mistake.
He is very severe, to the point where he actually seems abusive, discouraging his son from seeking further education and a career in rocket building.

When a skilled technician is helping Homer to build one of the few prototypes for rockets, John Hickam has the man transferred and working in a mine.
Granted, the individual was happy with the transfer and the increase in income it represented, albeit he would suffer a tragic fate following an accident.

One dedicated, fabulous teacher is instrumental in the success of the rocket project.
This is Miss Riley, who plays such a crucial role, for which the group of young scientists is so grateful that they name one of the final rockets Miss Riley to honor the role model.

October Sky is a glorious motion picture, a lesson for students, an example of courage, dedication, grit, intelligence, passion, resilience, strength, love.

A fantastic and at the same time...real story!