October Sky - The story of the Rocket Boys

03Nov07

Last night was satisfying… Ah! And am not talking of the thing that you are thinking of now. The night was satisfying and accomplishing. I was thoroughly satisfied and I think I accomplished something (though that has to be verified for one to be sure). I had always liked Jake Gyllenhal. I mean not in the sense that can be interpreted otherwise, but in a purely different manner which would perhaps classify me as a fan of him in the general language.

 

This movie October Sky, is a wonderful tale… no, not a tale, the wonderful story of a bunch of kids from a small coal mining town who eventually made it big by the dint of their determination and perseverance. I had heard of this movie from one of my friends who has of late been the prime source of movies for me. He had informed me of this wonderful movie and I’d immediately looked it up on Wikipedia and IMDB. But even though the movie was reviewed favourably, I didn’t think it could and hence would be that great. My usual arrogant great expecting soul! But the movie broke all the preconceived notions and I could literally see and hear them shattering to pieces. This movie is really one of the few that simultaneously inspires, invigorates and educates. That it is based on a true story of a man who achieved what he did despite all odds that were so meticulously stacked against him, makes it more worthwhile.

Homer Hickam is a 16 year old kid living in the small coal mining town of Coalwood in West Virginia whose life takes a turn when the Soviet Union launches the first artificial satellite, Sputnik into space in 1957. He decides that he’d send a rocket into space someday too and then puts his heart and soul into it. The rest of the movie follows the journey of Homer into desperation, depression, maturity and stardom.

Despite being constantly pulled down by his cynical father, his insulting brother and his half-witted mates, he and his friends go about working on their dream of sending up a rocket into the sky. After his father gets injured in the coal mine, Homer drops out of school and starts working in the mine. But his inner desire soon takes a leap out and leads him on to work on his project which finally wins him a scholarship to college and reconciles him to his father.

Joe Johnston’s direction is almost flawless, but his handling of the characters is what makes him outstanding. All the characters are given ample space for development and they do justice to the faith shown in them by the director. Mark Isham’s music is soul stirring. The music really brings out the emotions on the screen within reach. Well, I didn’t actually cry watching the movie, but the tear glands were almost at work. And it doesn’t mean in any way that the movie is all serious. It has its light moments, and in ample measure. And this combination of light and dark, comedy and tragedy, hope and despair makes the experience all more poignant and something that one can easily relate to.

 

Based on the book, The Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam Jr. which is autobiographical, the movie is a great source of inspiration for the youth. I wonder if I’d had such dedication and sincerity in college, I was more likely to be in a far better position than I’m at present. Someone walking 8 miles a day to try out some half baked idea, pulling out and selling railway tracks for funding the same idea and rebelling against one’s father and society to follow one’s dream really is something.

The name, October Sky is actually an anagram for Rocket Boys, the name which was decided on earlier. But thinking that such a name would most probably keep out the elderly ladies from theatres who often don’t want to watch just another teen movie, the name was changed to October Sky.

As the tagline of the movie says, ‘Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky’, it indeed is a powerful lesson which teaches us the importance of sincerity of purpose and strength of determination. One other Homer that I know is Homer Wells of the Cider House Rules, whose story is also on the similar lines, but slightly more serious and complicated and it had made me cry. If I’d produced that movie, maybe I’d have chosen Jake Gyllenhal over Tobey Maguire. Oh, this name of Homer is enough to make me sad. Anyways, the trailer of the movie is below.

And here is the theme song.

 And the official website of Homer Hickam can be viewed here.

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