Secret Cinephile Score:  80
1 line takeaway: Overlooked and under-rated. Heartwarming true story

Unlikely subject matter, no big stars (at the time), few special effects and no deeply complex messaging – so what makes this such a great movie? Maybe it’s just that difference. This story based closely on a true story simply celebrates the chance of being all you can be.

If the first you knew of Jake Gyllenhaal was in Jarhead then you’re about to learn he could act before he entered the eye candy stakes.

Set in a small mining town in the US at the time of sputnik this largely true story is packed with human spirit.

Complex hopes and expectations are examined through a love of rocketry much to the disappointment of Homer’s father (Chris Cooper) who is a powerful force throughout the film.
A tale of father following son (or not), the love between and within families and the potential of youth, this has everything to make you reflect on how fragile life is and why we should always try to be true to ourselves. Themes that could easily be saccharin but in this treatment are certainly not.
Touching funny in parts, packed full of unexpected humour and a fair dose of potential lost, this is both uplifting and just downright entertaining. One that slipped through the net unseen by most – mores the pity.

Available Media:   DVD to buy/stream   The making of the film