October Sky
| October Sky | |
|---|---|
| File:Octoberskymovieposter.jpg October Sky theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Joe Johnston |
| Written by | Homer Hickam (book) and Lewis Colick (screenplay) |
| Produced by | Charles Gordon, Marc Sternberg (EXEC), Peter Cramer (EXEC) |
| Starring | Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date | 1999 |
Running time | 108 min |
| Language | English |
| Budget | US$25 million |
October Sky is a 1999 movie based on the book Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. The book was later re-released with the name October Sky in order to capitalize on interest in the movie. Interestingly, "October Sky" is an anagram of "Rocket Boys." Homer Hickam stated that in research done by Universal Pictures, women over 30 would not go to see a movie titled "Rocket Boys," so Universal Pictures changed the title to be more inviting to a wider audience.
The book is based on Hickam's real childhood; however Lewis Colick, who was responsible for adapting the story to the screen, took creative license in his final draft.
The story deals with four friends struggling to find their place in the world while being smothered by the overwhelming presence of the coal mine in their town of Coalwood, West Virginia. Another major theme is Homer's ongoing desire for his father's approval.
The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, and Natalie Canerday. Noted photographer O. Winston Link has a cameo as a railroad engineer.
Set in the state of West Virginia, the film was actually shot at Petros, Oliver Springs, Oak Ridge, Harriman, and Knoxville, Tennessee. The coal mine used in the film was an actual coal mine located in Petros which had long since closed. The steam locomotive (Southern Railway 4501) used in the film was a loan from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
The film is complemented with a musical score by Mark Isham.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jake Gyllenhaal | Homer Hickam |
| Chris Cooper | John Hickam |
| Laura Dern | Miss Frieda Riley |
| Chris Owen | Quentin Wilson |
| William Lee Scott | Roy Lee Cooke |
| Chad Lindberg | Sherman O'Dell |
| Natalie Canerday | Elsie Hickam |
| Randy Stripling | Leon Bolden |
| Chris Ellis | Principal Turner |
| Elya Baskin | Ike Bykovsky |
| Courtney Cole-Fendley | Dorothy Platt |
| David Dwyer | Jake Mosby |
| Terry Loughlin | Mr. Dantzler |
| Kailie Hollister | Valentine Carmina |
This movie is rated PG for language, brief teen sensuality and alcohol use, and for some thematic elements.
Brief Description
The film is set in the late 1950s in the small mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal) fears he is destined to end up working in the local coal mine like nearly all men in town. After the launch of the first space satellite, Sputnik, Homer's teacher Miss Riley encourages him to follow his dreams of building rockets. After initial setbacks mixed with some success, Miss Riley further inspires Homer and his companions to enter the School Science Fair in hopes of winning the National Science Fair and college scholarships. Homer's father, John, is less than supportive of this idea and instead wants Homer to follow in his footsteps as manager of the mine.
After much frustrated effort and local opposition, Homer and his friends eventually succeed in winning the national science fair in Indianapolis as Homer's father saves the day. The movie concludes with Ms. Riley sick in the hospital and with Homer's father attending the group's final rocket launch, an apparent and long-awaited endorsement of his son's efforts.