OCTOBER SKY is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, who had a dream and the determination the follow it through. In 1957 he, along with the rest of the residents of his small Appalachian coal mining town, watched sputnik trek its way across the October sky. At dinner the next night, Homer tells his family that he's going to build a rocket.

        There's a lot to like in the movie, especially the parts that are obviously based on truth. But the film that should have been, has suffered under the heavy hand of Hollywood. Perhaps the producers were worried that the film would not fly so they added every corny device in the book, much to the detriment of the movie.

        But if all the Hollywood stereotypes are intact, it's a wonderful change to realize that the Appalachian ones are not. These kids all wear shoes, are well educated by people who care, and don't sit picking banjos on verandahs of decrepit houses. On the contrary, Laura Dern's method of teaching these Appalachian kids might be held up as a model of Dewey's progressive education, and a highly successful one at that. Neither are the coal mines vilified, merely accepted as a way of life.

        The great strength of the film, then, is its reality, best shown through the depth of characterization. In a town that revolves around coal production, the only escape for kids is to earn a football scholarship to college, as is the case of Homer's older brother. But try as he might, Homer can't play football, so the mines seem to be his only destiny. Hence his father tries to squash the rocket dreams, and turn Homer's eyes to the treasure below the earth. There's some great cinematography of Homer's eye's focused longingly on the sky as he descends the mine shaft.

        Chris Cooper plays Homer's father with great believability. A dozen years ago he was the central character of "Matewan," another film set in coal mining Appalachia. This time he's the mining foreman, and if he tries to stifle his son's dream, it's not due to just plain meanness, but stems from an honest belief that Homer's destiny, like his own, is in a coal mine, a job he finds exhilarating and honorable.

        I loved "October Sky," even with the heavy-handed schmaltzy touches, this is a great film. It's very entertaining--there are enough action scenes to keep you alert and amused, and the relationship between the boys and the town is really enchanting.

        Make sure you stay for the credits, which are an innovative and interesting way to conclude this delightful movie.

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