Movies about astronomy, space exploration and the wonders beyond our own planet rarely fail to inspire me; one of the finest is October Sky (1999).  Based on NASA engineer Homer Hickam’s recounting of his formative years in West Virginia’s coal country, the movie depicts what can happen when somebody follows his dreams to the stars.

Young Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal) wants more out of life than a future digging coal out of the ground like his father, foreman John Hickam (Chris Cooper).  Homer becomes entranced by the allure of rocketry when the Russians launch the Sputnik satellite, and he risks his own (limited) popularity by conferring with the school’s geekiest kid (Chris Owen) on how to best emulate the Russian feat.  With the help of two other friends, they experiment with science that everyone else believes is beyond them.

The theme of striving for something better is at the center of the relationship between Homer and his father, a strict yet fair man whose thoughts are constantly on the mine and the safety of the men who work there.  John is never more proud of his son than when Homer works underground while John recuperates from an accident.  But Homer soon realizes that he must find his own way, even if his father disapproves.

Joe Johnston’s film avoids excess sentimentality yet still finds a way to convey the stirring of inspiration and hope through real characters and their actions.  Shooting rockets high into the air is the visual highlight but the true epiphany for Homer comes when he successfully demonstrates the mathematical equation that allows the boys to find a particular rocket which went astray.

For those who aren’t inspired by mankind’s jump into the cosmos, the film has other rewards.  As Homer’s stern father, Chris Cooper gives a powerful performance, and Laura Dern is also quite good as Homer’s encouraging teacher.  And Jake Gyllenhaal, in his first major role, demonstrates the talent so evident in his later movies Jarhead and Brokeback Mountain.

I highly recommend October Sky to everyone.    My rating:  ☆ ☆ ☆ 1/2.  (10:1).