The filmmakers employ a good measure of schmaltz and shamelessly set up the rocket man with all of the dream-crushing road blocks you can imagine. But the good-natured affability of the whole thing works

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 8, 2020

It is a charming, endearingly old-fashioned piece of feel-good fluff that wears its heart on its plaid flannel sleeve, but it is as warm and familiar as grandma's old quilt on a cold winter night.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 6, 2019

While The Astronaut Farmer may occasionally get its priorities mixed up, it is refreshing to spend some time with a movie that acknowledges the unique role that men play in families-a role that cannot be filled by any of today's trendy substitutes.

| Oct 16, 2018

Thornton carries the film with relaxed authority, though the earnest tone doesn't let him explore the nuttier aspects of a character who, from any reasoned distance ought look more screwy than heroic.

| Jul 6, 2010

Self-fondling Americana

| Aug 27, 2009

| Original Score: B- | Oct 29, 2008

We should be routing for Farmer and delighted that his dreams are finally becoming a reality, but, instead, the implausibility of the whole thing, the sheer Disneyification of its premise, the Capra-corn nature of its "follow your dreams and never, ever q

| Original Score: 5/10 | Feb 28, 2008

It's hard not to like this goofy little film...engaging and uplifting for young and old.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jun 26, 2007

While it is far too long, especially in the home stretch, The Astronaut Farmer is a heartwarming and fun story about the tenacity it takes to see a dream through.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 25, 2007

The filmmakers reveal a keen eye for oddities in the American landscape be it a pair of conjoined twins trying to look normal, a huge ark sitting in the middle of a Montana town or a rocket nestled in a barn.

Full Review | Mar 23, 2007

It earns emotion because Farmer's arguments with the F.A.A. and his own wife appeal to basic hopes of liberty - belief that dreaming doesn't have to end with adulthood.

Full Review | Mar 15, 2007

Movies, even if they are ridiculous, are supposed to give us a desire to believe it could happen. This movie never comes close.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 14, 2007

As sweet as new-mown hay, "The Astronaut Farmer" is a gentle movie about pursuing dreams regardless of the cost.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 9, 2007

a quirky, feel-good flick that espouses the virtues of following your dreams, no matter how improbable.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 7, 2007

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

| Original Score: 3/6 | Mar 3, 2007

A wise, weird and wonderful indie film that is chock-full of quirky characters, intriguing situations and sly social satire.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 3, 2007

...scientifically implausible, even laughable, but emotionally it's irresistible...

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 2, 2007

Pretty photography and excellent casting cannot redeem this contrived (for reasons other than the actual idea, which is a good one) story.

| Original Score: 1.5/5 | Mar 1, 2007

If 'feel good' is a film objective worthy of ridicule, then call this reviewer a space cadet.

| Original Score: B+ | Feb 28, 2007

Has a scrappy charm that's hard to completely resist.

| Feb 28, 2007