The Astronaut Farmer

At first glance, The Astronaut Farmer looks utterly ridiculous. The basic conceit – a farmer’s battle to launch a homemade rocket into space – seems as silly and unfounded a principle as any that’s ever driven a cinematic endeavor. The truth, though, is that in the Coen Brothers-esque world of indie sweethearts cum big studio hires Mark and Michael Polish, such a thing actually seems believable. They thrive off of a loopy, oddball interpretation of vintage Americana. They still believe in the good old days and happy families pursuing bold ambitions. It’s their unflinching optimism at the helm of this film which makes us go along with the kookiness. This is a quirky yet sincere film that genuinely contrasts the consequences of broken dreams with the perils of accomplishing them.

Billy Bob Thornton gives yet another solid performance as Charlie Farmer, an undefeatable dreamer with his mind set on orbiting Earth. A misconception about the film is that its titular hero is insane or stupid. The truth is that however implausible a backyard launch pad might be, Farmer is a former Air Force pilot with a degree in aerospace engineering. He’s not a madman. He actually has the knowledge to do what he claims. Thornton is unexpectedly straightforward and earnest in the role. You’d think he would take the liberty of crafting a zany character here, but instead he plays it as straight as could be. He paints Farmer as simply a misunderstood family man with a big dream. Thornton is matched with ease by the graceful Virginia Madsen who toward the end of the film delivers a soliloquy that echoes her lovely work in Sideways . She’s a warm, believably kind actress who proves to be an absolute delight when paired with the Polish brothers’ sly yet practical storytelling.

The Polish brothers really are the stars here, though. Their attempts to inspire sometimes flatline, but they have surely created as distinct and inventive a vision as any film so far in this young year. They continue to deliver their own surreal style, dreamy dialogue, and stunning cinematography (there is a funeral staged at sunset with a look as darkly beautiful as anything I have seen in a long while). They often rely on convenient plot turns and demand a complete suspension of your disbelief, but if you buy into their wacky world, you’re bound to find yourself believing in the seemingly unbelievable just as the film hopes you would.

Grade: B+