Astronaut
- Director: Shelagh McLeod
- Writer: Shelagh McLeod
- Producer: Jessica Adams; Sean Buckley
CGiii Comment
Cosmic sentimentality...a sweet and safe little film without any artistic risks whatsoever. Just a plain old-fashioned story...reminiscent of Cocoon [sans les extraterrestres]...about regrets, missed opportunities...and, legacy.
Mr Dreyfuss delivers a stoic performance...aided and abetted by a script that maintains the mantra: Never give up...wishing, hoping, living.There is, however, a smidgen of respite from the heart-tugging...in the form an elderly gay gentleman who has not lost his eye-for-the-men and vocalises his pent-up lust with neither shame nor reticence.
Of course it's sentimental, how could it not be!?! Considering Mr Dreyfuss' cinematic girth...Jaws, Close Encounters...and, his Oscar-winning, The Goodbye Girl...Astronaut is a modest film, it will certainly warm the cockles of many hearts, both young & old...and, for those of a certain age, it's poignancy will resonate in so many ways.
A solid, lovely wee film...just a little bit on the safe side.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Richard Dreyfuss is excellent in this moving and enthralling new drama from writer-director Shelagh McLeod. Dreyfuss stars as Angus, a lonely widower whose long-held dream of becoming an astronaut is reignited when a nationwide competition is announced to win a trip to space with an independent space agency. Angus struggles against prejudice towards his age and increasing ill health, and with the help of his dysfunctional family his dream gets closer and closer to becoming reality.
Cast & Characters
Richard Dreyfuss as Angus
Lyriq Bent as Jim
Colm Feore as Marcus
Krista Bridges as Molly
Art Hindle as Joe
Richie Lawrence as Barney
Graham Greene as Len
Jennifer Phipps as Alice
Joan Gregson as Frannie
Sandra Beech as Jenny
Anthony Bekenn as The Doctor
Jason Burke as Road Construction Engineer
Jeff Douglas as Security Guard
Rosemary Dunmore as Ventura Evaluator
Brendan Flynn as Young Carer