3 of 3

Lindy Keffer (Plugged In) says, "Hands down, the sweet portrayal of the Farmer family's relationships with each other are the best thing about this movie. … On top of that, there's the feel-good message about following dreams. But that's both a good thing and a bad thing. In principle, it's a great idea, but the way it plays out makes it less like the icing on the cake and more like a ketchup filling inside a pie. You can swallow it, and it won't kill you, but something's not quite right about it." She concludes by noting, "True greatness isn't about self-actualization, but about laying down your life for those you love."

Lisa Rice (Crosswalk) calls it "a compelling case study on whether or not it's really worth the risk to follow the big dreams, despite daunting odds. More than anything, it's an interesting peek into the dynamics and potential rewards of something we don't often see: a functional, loving, supportive family. Yes, even Billy Bob Thornton has put a muzzle on for this feel-good flick and comes across as a warm, fatherly teacher and encourager."

Jenn Wright (Past the Popcorn) says, "While the Polish brothers' movie does offer a refreshing reality in terms of families and dreamers, there are simply too many implausibilities for me to take the film as seriously as they seemed to have intended it."

Harry Forbes (Catholic News Service) says, "The Astronaut Farmer is a sweet if wildly improbable film … . [T]he film has the gravity of a real-life biographical drama, but earns points for its strong affirmation of family, far more than the tiresome 'follow your dream' jargon which, in this case, seems fairly wacky."

Mainstream critics have mixed reactions to this Farmer.

first page |  3 of 3