October Sky

Synopsis:

Based on a former NASA technician's autobiography, this well-crafted coming-of-age story is a real-life Revenge of the Nerds with a touch of Stand by Me.

Set during the late 1950s in a sleepy West Virginian coal-mining community, the film revolves around four high school geeks who, after being inspired by the Soviet's launch of Sputnik, spend their after-school hours immersed in rocketry.

Brilliant performances all round. As Homer Hickam, the quartet's catalyst, Gyllenhaal (Bubble Boy) is a delightfully earnest, wide-eyed teen with dreams of space flight, college and a life beyond the suffocating confines of the coalmines.

Cooper (Lone Star) is indomitable as Homer's traditionalist father and Laura Dern (Jurassic Park) adds an air of femininity as the schoolteacher who gives the boys encouragement to enter the national science fair. With the inspiration of their school teacher, the boys persevere and never lose hope in their dreams.

Casts: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern

Duration : 102 minutes