Cooper gives John the kind of quiet determination that translates into a kind of menace. Scott, Lindberg and Owen provide excellent comic relief to the mounting tension between Cooper and Gyllenhaal, but each actor also shows the desperation that prompted them to join Homer in his wild experiment. There are shades of a young Tom Cruise from All the Wrong Moves in Gyllenhaal's performance. Dern gives Miss Riley a sense of quiet dignity. October Sky has its share of pathos, as well as intrigue and humour.
Bad things can and do happen to good people.
Director Joe Johnston knows better than to rush this story or to impose phony theatrics on it. October Sky is so well written, directed and acted that it will have you cheering for these rocket boys, but also hoping that there can be some kind of reconciliation between Homer and his father. October Sky deserves to be on your must-see list. It's a film brimming with heart and humour and that's rare. Canada's Top Movies 1.