A Million Miles Away is based on the true story of how migrant farmworker Jose Hernandez became an astronaut. It follows his unwavering pursuit to break into NASA, despite being rejected repeatedly. Directed by Alejandra Marquez Abella (Northern Skies Over Empty Space, The Good Girls), the film stars Michael Pena in a compelling performance as the hopeful Hernandez.
The Story
If ever there was a movie that proves “tenacity is a superpower,” it’s A Million Miles Away, a new Prime Video release about the real-life story of Jose Hernandez and his journey from the corn fields of Mexico to becoming a NASA flight engineer. It’s a tale that tugs at the heartstrings and inspires, thanks to an excellent cast led by Michael Pena and Rosa Salazar.
The script, by sports movie specialist Bettina Gilois (Glory Road, McFarland, USA), and Alejandra Marquez Abella (Northern Skies Over Empty Space, The Good Girls) and helmed by Hernan Jimenez, never descends into melodrama or overt sentimentality. The film’s greatest moments come when we see the struggles of Hernandez and his wife, Adela. Their exchanges are the clearest indication that the filmmakers wanted to avoid the whiny, perpetually annoyed wife trope that plagues so many inspirational films.
That’s a testament to the skill of the filmmakers and the talents of Pena and Salazar, both of whom seem to be bursting with pride at their ability to convey the true story of this amazing man. They are joined by a talented supporting cast that includes Bobby Soto, Sarayu Blue, Veronica Falcon and Garret Dillahunt.
The Cast
Michael Pena and Rosa Salazar make for a solid team as the dreaming astronauts, and while A Million Miles Away can’t escape its narrative and aesthetic shortcomings (and an inherent adherence to cliches about Latinos/Mexicans), these two actors do what they can to elevate this otherwise straightforward underdog story.
The flixtorto film never succumbs to overt romanticism and, even when Hernandez is struggling to maintain his family’s happiness or is forced to put aside his space ambitions for more pressing responsibilities, the script never feels like it’s exploiting Hernandez or his circumstances. That’s largely due to Pena and Salazar.
Garret Dillahunt also stars, and while he may not be a household name, his resume contains enough easily-recognizable work to give him some street cred in this type of movie. He’s been in western TV shows like Deadwood and the current season of Fear the Walking Dead, as well as a couple of Rian Johnson movies, Looper and No Country for Old Men.
The Message
A Million Miles Away is a solid family film that shows the value of hard work, determination and humility. It also addresses issues of immigration, racism and assimilation. The movie is appropriate for ages 9 and up.
A solidly uplifting biopic, A Million Miles Away is kept from landing in the cliche zone by a pair of powerful performances from Michael Pena and Rosa Salazar. Although their arcs are somewhat predictable (husband pursuing his dream, wife putting her own dreams on hold), the actors never revert to cliche.
Inspired by the true story of Mexican immigrant Jose Hernandez, A Million Miles Away is a touching and inspirational movie about following your dreams and working hard to achieve them. Its message of perseverance and determination should inspire families to pursue their own goals no matter what. With a little help from family, you can overcome any obstacle!
Overall
The film’s message is an inspirational one that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. It is a story about overcoming adversity and fighting prejudice. It is also a film that celebrates the importance of family and perseverance.
While the movie is based on a true story, it does not fall into the trap of overly sentimentalizing its subject. Its writers and directors, Alejandra Marquez Abella (Northern Skies Over Empty Space) and Bettina Gilois (Narcos: Mexico), keep Hernandez grounded even as he goes into orbit.
A Million Miles Away is a good underdog tale that avoids the pitfalls of some biopics. It stars Michael Pena as Jose Hernandez, the first migrant farmworker to become an astronaut and travel into outer space. It is a film that should be seen by families and school groups. The movie is free of obscene language and sexual innuendo, making it safe for all ages. The film has a good rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is available on Amazon Prime.
