A Million Miles Away Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A farm kid really, really wants to leave Earth, so he studies hard, marries a supportive woman who just wants to open a restaurant, and eventually blasts off despite the fact he could’ve just driven to Space Mountain.

🍿 A Million Miles Away: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Dreams

The film begins in the late 1960s and 70s, introducing José as a young boy from a migrant family. They travel between Michoacán and California, working as grape pickers with the hope of earning enough to buy a house back in Mexico. José attends school when possible, but his education is often disrupted due to the family’s travels. Inspired by the 1969 moon landing, José dreams of becoming an astronaut. Recognizing his potential, his teacher encourages his parents to settle permanently in California, prioritizing his education. This pivotal moment sets the stage for José’s lifelong pursuit of his seemingly impossible dream.

Education and Early Career

Years later, in 1985, José graduates from the University of the Pacific and secures a position as an engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The lab is working on a sophisticated laser weapon for national defense. Despite his achievements, José faces racial stereotyping and initially performs menial tasks. He finds an important flaw in the laser design, which gains him recognition and respect from his colleagues. During this time, he also meets Adela, his future wife, while trading his car. They develop a deep connection and begin a family while José continues his work and starts to apply for NASA

Pursuing the Astronaut Dream

Despite repeated rejections from NASA, José perseveres. Adela becomes his biggest supporter, encouraging him to acquire the skills and experience needed to increase his chances of acceptance. He trains to become a pilot, improves his fitness, learns Russian, and gains expertise in diving. An opportunity arises for Jose to go to Russia to evaluate a shipment of enriched uranium for NASA. He delivers his 12th application to NASA in person, and makes a positive impression on Frederick Sturckow. Finally, after numerous setbacks, Jose is accepted into the astronaut program.

Training and Tragedy

José faces significant challenges during astronaut training, struggling to keep up with his classmates. The sudden death of his brother Beto due to gang violence shakes him, causing him to lose focus. However, a conversation with astronaut Kalpana Chawla inspires him to persevere. She shares her passion for space travel and the importance of their work. The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster deeply affects José and the entire NASA community. Despite the tragedy, José remains committed to his dream and continues to excel in his training.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• José (Michael Peña): A determined migrant farmworker who overcomes numerous obstacles to become an engineer and, ultimately, a NASA astronaut.
• Adela (Rosa Salazar): Jose’s supportive wife who balances her own dreams with supporting her husband’s ambitious goals.
• Salvador (Julio Cesar Cedillo): Jose’s father, a hardworking migrant worker who instills in his son the importance of perseverance.
• Julia (Veronica Falcón): Jose’s mother, who offers unwavering support and love to her son as he pursues his dreams.
• Beto (Bobby Soto): Jose’s cousin, whose life choices highlight a contrasting path and contribute to Jose’s resolve.
• Sturckow (Garret Dillahunt): An astronaut trainer who recognizes Jose’s potential and helps him navigate the NASA program.
• Miss Young (Michelle Krusiec): José’s Elementary teacher who recognizes his potential and encourages his parents to let him pursue his education.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kalpana Chawla: “Everything looks so pretty from up there. It’s as though the whole place is sacred. The atmosphere looks like ribbons of different colors hugging the Earth. And it looks so fragile.” – Kalpana Chawla explains the awe and wonder of space travel, highlighting Earth’s beauty and fragility.
• Kalpana Chawla: “Once that ignition sequence starts, we only have each other. That matters. What you learned today matters.” – Chawla emphasizes the importance of teamwork and preparation for astronauts heading into space.
• Salvador: “Set your goal. Know how far away you are. Draw a roadmap. If you don’t know how, learn it.” – Jose’s father shares his recipe for success. It’s shown in parts through the movie.
• Salvador: “The moment you say ‘I finally did it’, you may have to try even harder.” – Jose’s father shares the last part of his recipe for success. He tells his son this in the fields.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 A Million Miles Away Reviews

Personal Review

I was so moved watching Jose’s journey! Seeing the sacrifices his family made and his unwavering dedication really hit home. The scene where his teacher visits him before the launch choked me up. This isn’t just a movie; it’s a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and the support of loved ones. It reminded me that my own dreams are worth fighting for, and made me feel grateful for the people in my life who believe in me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of biographical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in space exploration”
  • “Families looking for an inspirational movie”
  • “Individuals interested in stories of perseverance and overcoming adversity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief depictions of racial prejudice”
  • “Mention of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster”
  • “Brief scene of gang violence”
  • “PG rating suggests it is generally suitable for all audiences, but parental guidance is still advised.”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While touching and inspirational, ‘A Million Miles Away’ occasionally struggles to escape the trappings of a traditional biopic. It’s a feel-good story, but lacks a certain spark to make it truly memorable.
• Variety: “Michael Peña delivers a heartfelt performance, elevating the film beyond its familiar narrative beats. The film is ultimately uplifting, emphasizing the importance of family and perseverance.
• Los Angeles Times: “‘A Million Miles Away’ tells an inspirational story with sincerity, yet it adheres closely to biopic conventions. It’s a crowd-pleaser that might not linger long after the credits roll, but it delivers its message effectively.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the heartwarming portrayal of family and community support.: Most agreed that Michael Peña’s performance was outstanding and brought depth to the character.

People were inspired by Jose’s perseverance in the face of repeated rejection.: Many viewers found the film to be uplifting and a great movie for family viewing.

Overall Consensus: A touching and inspirational biopic, elevated by strong performances, but somewhat predictable in its narrative structure.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film includes a detail about Jose Hernandez’s work on anti-ICBM missile defense, once known as “star wars,” where he solved a problem that saved the project’s funding.”
• “Jose Hernandez was also a co-inventor of the digital mammogram at LLL, an achievement he considers one of his greatest due to the lives it has saved.”
• “The film omits that Hernandez wasn’t accepted into NASA until 2004, after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, and there were 15 flights before his own in 2009.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Million Miles Away?

A Million Miles Away is currently available for streaming on Prime Video. Check your local listings for potential availability on other streaming platforms like Apple TV+, or for purchase or rental options through services like Google Play Movies or Vudu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Million Miles Away, you might like these similar films:

• October Sky (1999): A similar inspirational story about a young man from a humble background who dreams of space and overcomes obstacles to pursue his passion in rocketry.
• Hidden Figures (2016): Like ‘A Million Miles Away,’ it highlights the perseverance of individuals facing discrimination who make significant contributions to the space program.
• Apollo 13 (1995): A thrilling and suspenseful film about the real-life Apollo 13 mission, emphasizing the teamwork and ingenuity required to overcome a crisis in space.
• The Martian (2015): Features a character using ingenuity and perseverance to survive against all odds in space, mirroring the determination showcased in ‘A Million Miles Away’.

🛒 A Million Miles Away Related Products

• Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut: The autobiography of Jose Hernandez. Get the full story in Jose’s own words!
• NASA Space Shuttle Discovery Model Kit: A detailed model of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Build and display your own piece of space history!
• LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V: Build the awe-inspiring Apollo Saturn V! Authentic details and display stand included.
• Space Exploration STEM Building Kit: Fun, easy to build STEM toy that promotes learning through play. Perfect for future astronauts.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Million Miles Away features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “El Hijo Del Pueblo” – performed by José Alfredo Jiménez
• “Don’t Stop Believin'” – performed by Journey
• “I Want to Know What Love Is” – performed by Foreigner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Offspring – “Million Miles Away” feat. Ed Sheeran [Live at BottleRock Napa Valley 2024]

Whoa, Ed Sheeran with The Offspring? Seeing Ed Sheeran shred with The Offspring is not something I ever expected, but it’s awesome. Check out this live performance – you won’t be disappointed!

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