The Astronaut Farmer

Charles Farmer gave up his military flying career and a chance at NASA to return to Texas and keep the family ranch going after his father died. Years later, he is a farmer with a bank debt, a wife and three children, and a rocket he has built himself in his barn. An aerospace engineer by training, he still intends to fly it, spending the family's savings on the project and drawing attention from authorities: the FBI begins watching him when he tries to obtain rocket fuel, and the FAA refuses to approve his flight plan. His family's support becomes central as he pushes ahead.

The Astronaut Farmer was directed by Michael Polish, who wrote the screenplay with his brother Mark; both also produced with Paula Weinstein. It was the first of Michael Polish's directed features, followed by Stay Cool, 90 Minutes in Heaven, Amnesiac, Hot Bot, Force of Nature, American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally, Terror on the Prairie and Alarum. Billy Bob Thornton plays Charles, with Virginia Madsen as his wife, Max Thieriot, Jasper Polish and Logan Polish as the children, and Jon Gries as the FBI agent watching him. Fifty-nine other performers are credited.

Made for about 13 million dollars, the film took in roughly 11 million worldwide. On IMDb it holds 6.3 out of 10 from around 24,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.3 out of 10 from 383 votes. A critics' rating of 6.2 out of 10 from 135 reviews places professional and audience assessments close together.