October Sky: Film Review

Reflection- “October Sky”
Since Joe Johnston’s movie “October Sky” was released in 1999, many people have been inspired, and also emotionally affected by this movie. Many people can relate to the protagonists (Homer Hickam) situation and may have been helped by this movie. “October Sky” is biography, drama type of movie and which is based on a real life story. Long story short, “October Sky” is a movie about a boy which lives in a town called Coalwood which is in West Virginia. The future of people living there is to become a coal miner, or if lucky you receive a football scholarship. Homer is inspired by the Soviet Satellite “Sputnik” and wants to build professional rockets and enter the science fair. His final goal is to receive a scholarship and leave Coalwood and enter a college where he can study and become a scientist. Out of the many who don’t believe in him, his mother Elise Hickam, and Miss Riley are the only two which are supportive and help him reach his goal. His friends also support him and help him into entering the science fair, and winning first place prize with scholarships
to multiple colleges, and universities. Homer Hickam shows courage in numerous events.
One which really stood out to me was where Homer Hickam puts away his ambition and also his dreams for his future to contribute to his family income. Homer Hickam decides to stop going to school, and to become a coal miner to earn some money for his family due to the injury that his father is having. His father John Hickam got a severe injury to his eye which could lead into him becoming blind. For his treatment the family doesn’t have enough money to give, therefore Homer Hickam becomes a coal miner to earn some money. Homer Hickam’s older brother Jim Hickam had received a football scholarship a few weeks ago, even though he is the older brother, Homer Hickam’s takes in charge of the responsibility to allow his brother to pursue a career into becoming a football player. This shows the courage that Homer has in numerous
accounts. This is somewhat similar to what I would do in this kind of situation. Thankfully, my parents have always been healthy and wealthy and there was never a need for me to contribute to my family financially. Even though this issue has never confronted me, I think this is how I would react to it, and how I would try my best to contribute to my family. Family, and religion are the number one priorities I have in life, and I would do anything to the best of my ability to help any issues related my number one priority. Overall the movie “October Sky” is a very inspiring movie and many lessons can be learned by watching this movie. The problem that the protagonist is having is found in many families around the world, where the parents expect the child to excel into a profession which the child doesn’t find interesting. I learned many lessons one of them being sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the better of the family, and many other lessons.