Whenever Hollywood makes a biopic, I am left wondering how much of this is true and how much is a screenwriter's fantasy. All too often, true stories are transformed into fiction in order to 'tell a good story'....though these are REAL people and they deserve a true accounting of their exploits. And, when I began watching "October Sky", although I enjoyed it, I also was saddened that once again the truth was, at times, completely expendable. The real story is differeent in too many ways for me to mention here--just suffice to say that instead of 4 brilliant budding rocket scientists, there were 6 and IMDB mentions several more ways in which this movie diverges from the truth.

The story begins with Sputnik. Not surprisingly, the Soviets making it into space first caused an uproar here in the States....and this film is about how it inspired a group of West Virginia high school students to become junior rocket scientists. On their own, the group built some amazing rockets for teens though the film talks a LOT about how the main character's father and principal fought so hard to keep him from following this dream....and again, I really wonder if this was true or was 'artistic license' (a nice way of saying they lied).

Despite my complaint about the voractity of everything in this movie, I DID still enjoy it quite a bit and found it quite inspirational...and much of it is because although there were changes to the story, the fundamental kernel of a story was great! By the time it's over, you'll likely be misty-eyed and excited...which are great testaments to the acting and direction in this movie.

On Oct 4th, 1957, the Soviet Union launches Sputnik into orbit raising anxiety throughout the land. Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) is 17 living in Coalwood, West Virginia. His commanding father John (Chris Cooper) is the mine supervisor and expects his son to join him even though it's dangerous and the mine faces layoffs. Science teacher Miss Riley (Laura Dern) tries to raise interest in Sputnik but the only kid excited is class nerd Quentin Wilson. After seeing Sputnik in the night sky, Homer decides to build a rocket. With the help of his two friends Roy Lee Cooke and Sherman O'Dell as well as Miss Riley and Quentin, they overcome obstacles to do the unexpected.

This is a fine inspirational based-on-true-story movie. The acting is great from everybody. The story is light drama. In the end, the obstacles aren't epic and there are no real surprises. It has a good message and compelling characters. It also has good relationships.

This movie is a real sleeper. It is a portraiture of an extremely significant time in America. We have people leading their everyday lives (in this case, in a coal mine),and the incredible threat that the Russians have created with Sputnik. Enter Homer Hickham who has been inspired. The whole town sees him as a nut. He gets some of his nerdy friends to help him realize his dream. it's a modest dream. To send a small rocket a fair distance into the sky. During this process he must deal with metals, heat properties, and mathematics. He also must face the dismay of his father, played by Chris Cooper (could have been an Academy Award),who expects Homer to naturally move into the world of the mine without a single thought. We all know what happens, but it doesn't matter. It's the wonderful series of failures and regrouping and, at one point, giving up that makes this movie. The people are real people. All Homer wants is a chance to get out this place and realize his dream. He has watched the football playing brother get all the attention. There's nothing for Homer. I could watch this movie over and over. It really works. It should have had a lot more attention.