The American Astronaut

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Dark Comedy Steampunk Comedy Musical Sci-Fi

Samuel Curtis, an interplanetary trader, sets forth through a rustic and remote solar system, unaware that his old friend Professor Hess is trying to kill him.Samuel Curtis, an interplanetary trader, sets forth through a rustic and remote solar system, unaware that his old friend Professor Hess is trying to kill him.Samuel Curtis, an interplanetary trader, sets forth through a rustic and remote solar system, unaware that his old friend Professor Hess is trying to kill him.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations

Trivia
Bill Buell's dance during "Love Smiles" was choreographed on the spot by director Cory McAbee by shouting things like "show us your karate, Bill!" and "the birds are attacking, Bill!"

Quotes
Old Man: Hey. Is it just me, or do my balls itch?
Samuel Curtis: I think it's you.
Old Man: Good. For a minute, I thought my balls itched.

Crazy credits
We Remember Desmond Harvey

Connections
Referenced in Harmontown: Harmoncountry: Denver, CO (2013)

Soundtracks
The American Astronaut
Written by Cory McAbee, Robert Lurie (as Bobby Lurie), and Lee Vilensky
Performed by The Billy Nayer Show
Published by Fickey Music (BMI)
Courtesy of BSG Records
Administered and Licensed by BNS Productions
©2000 Cory McAbee, Bobby Lurie, and Lee Vilensky

User reviews53

Review

Featured review

9/10

McAbee is a Genius

"The American Astronaut" is the purest of pure examples of how great independent cinema can be. This SciFi-comedy-musical is one of the most cinematically luscious films shot in B&W 35mm by any independent film to my knowledge. The characters are without parallel, especially the genius of Tom Aldredge who delivers one of THE BEST monologue jokes ever captured on film. Cory McAbee not only wrote it and directs it, but also stars in it and co-wrote all the music which is performed by his band The Billy Nayer Show (don't know them? shame shame) Everyone I've ever recommended this film to or who I have known to have seen it raves about this film... except for one guy I know, but his favorite film is "Hard Rain" with Christian Slater... not sure if that should count.

Space is a lonely town. There are some pretty deep concepts to this story that are cleverly interwoven into the comedy of the script. Also notable is how much like an elementary schoolyard the interactions and ethics of this film are. Brilliant, entertaining... pure genius.