"October Sky" - A masterpiece of a youth film that focuses on passion for rocket launches (Part 2)

*This article touches on the ending of the story, so we recommend watching the movie before reading it.

This 1999 film is based on the autobiographical novel by NASA engineer Homer Hickam Jr. , which is also published in Japan as " Rocket Boys ." The story contains very universal themes such as "the feud between father and son," "the clash between students who try new things and the conservative school administration," "the school caste system that prioritizes sports clubs," and "regional cities with declining industry," and is sure to resonate with many people. It is a masterpiece that should be watched by families and at school.

Click here for the first part

Index

• Synopsis ⑤
• About the Director
• Synopsis ⑥
• Original story and adaptation
• Synopsis ⑦
• What is a Science Fair?
• Synopsis 8
• Later, Homer Hickam Jr.
• Response after release

Synopsis ⑤

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The day after the success of "Oak VII" was Homer's (Jake Gyllenhaal) birthday. While his mother Elsie (Natalie Canaday) warmly celebrates, his father John (Chris Cooper) and brother Jim (Scott Thomas) are constantly irritated. Elsie hands him an envelope addressed to Homer. Inside is a letter from Dr. von Braun and a Signs portrait.

When Homer arrives at school, his teacher, Ms. Riley (Laura Dern), gives him a birthday present. It is a technical book called "Principles of Guided Missile Design." The book is full of complicated mathematical formulas, but Homer is happy and says, "I'll try my best to read it all." However, as they pass each other, Principal Turner (Chris Ellis) sees the title of the book and criticizes Riley. However, she counters, "Why can't you show students other than football players a career path other than just becoming a coal miner?"

When the launch of "Oak XIII" was being prepared, a scout from West Virginia University came to Homer's house. The purpose was to sign a contract to give Jim a scholarship. Homer asked John, "Would you like to come and see the launch?" but John declined, saying he was busy. However, John always rushed to his eldest son's games.

The launch of Oak XIII brought the townsfolk of Callwood together, even the cheerleaders. The launch was a great success, and Oak XIII flew so far that it went missing. Local The Journalist Basil (Terrence Gibney) also covered the situation, and immediately wrote an article about it. Then, Dorothy (Courtney Fendley), whom Homer has a crush on, came to ask for his Signs.

However, the situation suddenly changes and the four are arrested. They are accused of starting a forest fire with their rocket. When John goes to pick up Homer, who has been released on bail, he finds Roy (William Lee Scott) being beaten on the street by his drunken stepfather Vernon (Mark Jeffrey Miller). John comes to his aid and strongly criticizes Vernon for his actions. John feels responsible for the death of Roy's biological father. However, this incident becomes the beginning of Vernon's resentment towards John.

In desperation, the foursome burn down the "Cape Coalwood" shelter using the remaining moonshine. They then go out to dance at a dance club. Homer invites Dorothy out, but she is dating Jim. When a heartbroken Homer comes out, he is approached by Valentine (Kylie Hollister), who secretly has feelings for him. Homer asks Valentine, "Have you seen the movie 'Frankenstein and the Wolf Man'?" in the way he learned from Roy, but the foursome tell him to come back soon.

When he arrives at the mine, many residents have gathered. They say that the Rope used to transport the excavated coal to the surface has been cut. The elevator in the shaft rises and carries out the dead miners. The first victim is Bykovsky (Elijah Baskin). John is carried out next, but fortunately he is still breathing. Homer takes Bykovsky's identification tag (which tells who is currently in the mine) as a memento of him.

At Homer's house, the family was discussing their future. John had been injured in one eye, and in the worst case scenario, he could go blind. If he could no longer work, the house was owned by the company, so they would have to move somewhere else. Homer decided to drop out of high school and work in the coal mines.

The next day, Homer submits his withdrawal notice to the principal, but Mr. Riley refuses to speak to him. John, who escaped blindness, returns to work, but Homer chooses to continue working in the mines. However, John has a shadow on his lung and begins coughing violently. During lunch break, the four members of the group come to visit them, and tell them, "Ms. Riley hasn't been coming to school recently. Rumor has it that he's gone to visit his girlfriend in Welch."

When Homer gets home, Elsie tells him another rumor. Worried, he visits Ms. Riley's house. He finds out that she is absent from school to recover from Hodgkin's disease. She encourages Homer by saying, "Do what you really want to do."

*1 Also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma, this is a disease in which lymphocytes become cancerous, multiply in the lymph nodes, and form tumors.

About the Director