Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern "October Sky."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern Director: Joe Johnston Rated: PG, with mild profanity, brief violence Length: 108 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(Feb. 19, 1999) -- "There were two distinct phases to my life in West Virginia," says Homer Hickam. "Everything that happened before Oct. 5, 1957, and everything that happened afterward."

On that date, the Russians launched Sputnik -- and the space age. In the wonderful new film October Sky, we learn how the event affected a young boy in the struggling mining town of Coalwood, W.Va.

Everyone assumes Homer will follow generations of Hickams into the mines. But the boy (Jake Gyllenhaal) looks at Sputnik flying overhead on a starlit night and envisions a different future -- in America's fledgling space program.

In a community devoted almost exclusively to digging coal or rooting for the high school football team, his interest in rocketry is not necessarily welcome.

Homer's father, a mining foreman (superbly played by Chris Cooper), is especially disappointed. Though he suffers from the early stages of black lung disease, he has a resolute belief in coal as the lifeblood of the community. He's pained by his son's rejection of his life's work.

So October Sky isn't just about a boy's pursuit of his dreams; it's about a struggle between a father and son.

It's also a tribute to the inspiration of a devoted teacher. Played gracefully by Laura Dern, Miss Riley motivates Homer and a few of his friends to educate themselves so they can pursue their dreams beyond Coalwood.

That October Sky generates its excitement and tension from the efforts of schoolboys to win at a science fair -- instead of on a football field or basketball court -- is just one of this film's many accomplishments.

Based on Hickam's highly regarded memoir, Rocket Boys, the film is marvelously enjoyable and inspiring: It has the passion of Rocky, the heart-tugging father-son emotions of Field of Dreams, the warm humor and richly detailed nostalgia of American Graffiti.

What's more, it's a true story -- as you see in moments from the home movies of the real-life characters that accompany the film's closing credits.

October Sky has been artfully directed by Joe Johnston, who began his career with all sorts of flashier rockets: first as an Oscar-winning visual effects contributor to the Star Wars trilogy, and later as creator of the live-action comic-book adventure, The Rocketeer.

Johnston gets fine performances from the four young actors who play the "rocket boys," especially the immensely likable Gyllenhaal. The excellent, underrated Cooper is an ideal choice as Homer's rough-hewn but decent father, and Natalie Canerday is all warmth and heart as Homer's patient, understanding mother.

Also deserving praise are production designer Barry Robison, costumer Betsy Cox and cinematographer Fred Murphy. In a low-key, unspectacular way, October Sky is among the most authentic-looking period films I can recall seeing.