cineasten89 Review of October Sky

October Sky (1999)

I loved this movie.... cried a lot.... a fine story..

[9/10 · 17 July 2005]

I loved this movie completely. Jake Gyllenhaal, before his breakthrough role in Donnie Darko, stars as Homer Hickam, a teenager who in October 1957 decides to build a rocket. This is based on a true story, written by Homer Hickam, of how four friends start to build a rocket in the small city Coalwood, West Virginia, and how they inspire the people of that town by doing the impossible. Except from the story of the building of rockets and how people are both happy and unhappy of it, it is the story of a father and son relation, how a teenager really fights for his dreams, no matter what his father thinks or wants. A beautifully storytelling movie with all glorious moments... that it is a true story makes it more believable, but at the same time also unbelievable.

Highly recommended, not only for the fine story but also for fine characters, great actors and a great photography. Forget visual effects - this is a great drama movie with a great story.