A Million Miles Away (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – A biopic about Jose Hernandez and his path from a farm worker to becoming an engineer and an astronaut. A tale of perseverance, community and sacrifice to accomplish a seemingly impossible dream.

My Take – Indeed, adapting the real life story of how astronaut José M. Hernández became the first migrant farm worker to have traveled to space was always going to be absolutely beautiful and inspirational. A tribute to motivating young and old minds alike. But what makes this lovely, enjoyable and heartwarming film a cut above the rest is how it emotionally it implores one to follow their dreams and never give up on them. Offering wisdom, kindness and the stories of decent people who strive for good things.

Adapting from José M. Hernández‘s memoir, ‘Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut’, here, writer-director Alejandra Marquez Abella and co-writers Bettina Gilois and Hernan Jimenez create a storytelling triumph and impress with their groundbreaking portrayal of NASA and how it opened its doors to an unusually unique character in the world of space exploration. Without being too cliché driven, and carried by an earnest standout performance from Michael Peña, this Prime Video release makes the absolute impossible somehow seem so possible.

Beginning in the 1960s, the story follows a young José Hernández (Juan Pablo Monterrubio), who along with his migrant parents, Salvador (Julio Cesar Cedillo) and Julia (Veronica Falcón), and siblings works in the fields picking fruits, contributing to the family’s income, while coping with school. One day, his teacher, Miss Young (Michelle Krusiec), assigns his class to write an essay on what they dream of doing.

That night, José watches the Apollo moon mission launch, and immediately decides he wishes to become an astronaut, and begins to work towards it. His parents too, to help their son fulfill his aspirations, give up on their dreams of buying a house in Michoacan. After graduating, as an engineer José (Michael Peña) continues to pursue his childhood goal, despite being rejected repeatedly.

But armed with the unwavering support of his wife Adela (Rosa Salazar) and the wisdom passed down from his parents, José continues towards making his dream a reality. Taking its time to lay the groundwork with Jose’s childhood, the film has all the ingredients of an inspiring, sanded-down success story.

It hits the usual beats of space heroism, the ambition of a gravity-defying dream, the vaunted heroism of the space program, the sacrifices in the name of science and patriotism with chapters delineated by ingredients to success in life, first outlined by his father, in line with Hernández’s later career as a motivational speaker.

But in the hands of director Alejandra Márquez Abella, it is impossible not to be charmed by this tale of tenacity, commitment and community; it’s a real-life, straightforward encapsulation of the American Dream, entertainingly told and smartly trained on one Mexican American’s family’s experience over blunt moralizing.

The film’s authenticity is one of its strongest suits. From the stark realities of laboring under the blistering sun in dry fields to the intense family dialogues that are all too relatable, every scene feels like a window into real-life experiences. The anguish of losing a beloved family member is palpable, and such moments are portrayed with sensitivity and depth. These raw moments, paired with moments of joy and laughter, provide the film a realistic rhythm, echoing the highs and lows of life itself.

However, it’s not just the central plot or the circumstances that stand out. What truly sets this film apart is its portrayal of communication between its characters. Conversations are genuine and deep, devoid of the superfluous drama that often plagues cinematic dialogues. This film isn’t about grand gestures or over-the-top dramatizations; it’s about the simple, profound connections humans share with one another. One of the central themes explored is the soulful journey of migrant families.

Migration, by its very nature, involves a complex tapestry of emotions – hope, fear, determination, and a constant longing for home. Through the film the audience gets an intimate glimpse into these emotions, understanding the deep-seated aspirations and challenges faced by migrant families. The film doesn’t just touch upon their struggles but dives deep into their souls, showing their resilience, strength, and unbreakable spirit. With a taut script and a solid grasp of the events, director Alejandra Marquez Abella makes sure that the film doesn’t become too technical or too dragging and manages to find a satisfying middle ground.

Jose is given enough room to grow in the film, which gets a much-deserved hurrah from the audience the moment he tells off the judgmental receptionist politely. The runtime is 121 minutes, and although it could do with a bit shorter length, it seems that almost every section was important to the story, so we can’t exactly point out faults. This film is perfect for families, offering valuable lessons on love, loss, perseverance, and the essence of dreams. Its universal themes make it relatable for people from all walks of life.

It also helps that Michael Peña delivers an exceptional performance in a role he was obviously born to play. Dialing it all down and playing it so modest and earnest, and occasionally even awkward, that you can’t help but get on board with his journey. From his meet-cute with a perfectly chosen Rosa Salazar, to his meet-the-parents moments, to his crazy self-progression to keep trying out for the space program, Peña is humble throughout, a real character you can get behind.

Young Juan Pablo Monterrubio ensures you get behind the character early on. Rosa Salazar, is much more than just a prop in the film and steals the scenes she is in as the supporting wife. In supporting roles, Julio Cesar Cedillo, Veronica Falcón, Garret Dillahunt, Bobby Soto, Sarayu Blue, Eric Johnson and Michelle Krusiec are excellent. On the whole, ‘A Million Miles Away’ is an incredibly uplifting biopic that is both wonderfully acted and directed.