Astronaut

This is everything that you might have come to expect from a relatively recent (released 2019; reviewed 2023) film. It is ageist, unsophisticated in every way other than emotionally, and all the diversity check boxes ticked. So much so, in the latter point, that it has the feeling of being quite contrived and in no way an organically driven work, other than that there might have been a writer who had a dream but that it was tempered into this vanilla piece of passable family entertainment. Nevertheless, it is reasonably entertaining by the standards of the day, if you are not likely to be irritated by the above mentioned things. I found the ending quite poor.

Actor, turned writer/director Shelagh McLeod, makes her full-length feature film directorial/writing debut in Astronaut.

Her camera work was that of a seasoned director, but some of the scenes certainly needed some editing/cutting down. Although a great story, her inexperience shows in her screenplay with some plot and technical issues. At 97 min long, the slow pacing made the film feel much longer. Had the pace been faster or the length edited down, the story would have shined.

The cinematography was great, and the music/score perfect. Performances were good, but with a little more experienced direction, could have been great. Richard Dreyfus played his character well.

I'm surprised at the current low IMDb rating. Overall for a low-budget B-grade film - coming from a newbie writer and director, it was a thoroughly enjoyable warmhearted tale that will entertain the entire family. Thus it's a well deserved 8/10 from me. And if anyone thinks my review is fake, click on my username to see my 1000+ ratings and 600+ reviews, and read my bio on how to properly review/rate a film based on it's merits and production value.

Of an austronaut dream, that is borned by a comet passing by the earth. the old man in the main of the story, may represent all of us other dreamers that always have wanted that too. its a flick engined with bloodpressure medication, and the man has to take a stroke or two before he is able to take of.

its also about living a life in an instotutionalized environment, in this case a home for the sick and old, where tear and care are the tune. its a slow burner, that without any pessimism at all, it is just that the actors are becoming so old and physically slow in their movements,but its good and its well delivered by mr dreyfuss.

the grumpy old man wont give more than 6, its a film for young and old as a 50 years celebration for the first man to walk on the moon.

If you're old, life isn't over. That's the crux of the story. It has a big heart and it eventually wins you over.

Sure it's slow. Yes it's pretty unrealistic. And it can be cheesy at times, but for the most part, it's a touching story of trying to fulfill your dream at any age.

Richard Dreyfuss, as always, is great. His performance holds it all together, though there are some other good performances too.

Leading a fulfilling life is important but it's not all about your dreams. It's those who surround us who make it truly worthwhile. Ultimately, it's about family.

Truly epic, if it were Opposite Day. And no, that is not an understatement.