A "masterpiece" drama based on a true story is hailed by fans as of the "most underrated" movies ever. October Sky (1999) is set in Coalwood, West Virginia, and follows coal miner's son Homer H. Hickam Jr. (played by Jake Gyllenhaal ) who was inspired to take up rocketry by the Soviet Union 's launch of Sputnik 1 in the late 1950s.

His father John Hickham (Chris Cooper), a proud miner, resists his ambitions, wishing his son to join him in the pits. However, Homer's teacher Miss Freida J. Riley (Laura Dern) believes in Homer, and encourages to him to follow his dream. The film was based on Rocket Boy, the first book in the real life Homer H. Hickam Jr.'s memoir series. And while the film takes some creative liberties, it celebrates his true-to-life journey from the mining community t

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