Richard Dreyfuss holds together an earthbound tale of an old widower who dreams of a voyage to the stars
Amid the pressures of the current crisis, we could all use some uplifting, unchallenging, bittersweet sentimentality. That’s exactly what’s on offer from Astronaut, a film with a small budget, a big heart and an A-list Hollywood star blessed with enough twinkly charisma to pull off a potentially preposterous role. More at home on a TV screen than it perhaps would have seemed in cinemas, this wistful drama from Shelagh McLeod (her directorial feature debut) may not be earth-shattering, yet it retains the power to charm, thanks in large part to a central performance by Richard Dreyfuss that ranks among his best work.
Dreyfuss is Angus Stewart, a retired and recently widowed civil engineer who always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Ailing with age, Angus has moved in with his...
Amid the pressures of the current crisis, we could all use some uplifting, unchallenging, bittersweet sentimentality. That’s exactly what’s on offer from Astronaut, a film with a small budget, a big heart and an A-list Hollywood star blessed with enough twinkly charisma to pull off a potentially preposterous role. More at home on a TV screen than it perhaps would have seemed in cinemas, this wistful drama from Shelagh McLeod (her directorial feature debut) may not be earth-shattering, yet it retains the power to charm, thanks in large part to a central performance by Richard Dreyfuss that ranks among his best work.
Dreyfuss is Angus Stewart, a retired and recently widowed civil engineer who always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Ailing with age, Angus has moved in with his...
- 4/26/2020
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
The recently widowed retiree Angus (Richard Dreyfuss) might be in the gutter, but he looks at the stars. Indeed, despite his flailing health and tricky family situation, the hopeful septuagenarian lives by that famous Oscar Wilde quote in “Astronaut,” actress-turned-filmmaker Shelagh McLeod’s caringly observed debut feature. It’s a modestly scoped, visually amateurish film, but limited resources don’t stop McLeod from reaching for galactic emotions with the story of a fantasist chasing his lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut. In the end, only a fraction of McLeod’s ambitions sticks a landing. But “Astronaut” stays afloat with sweetness, thanks to a measured performance from Dreyfuss.
And that might just be intriguing enough for Dreyfuss loyalists, as well as aging viewers starved for original stories centered on their own demographics — after all, it’s not only the below-60 crowd that deserves to have an outer space adventure. But even...
And that might just be intriguing enough for Dreyfuss loyalists, as well as aging viewers starved for original stories centered on their own demographics — after all, it’s not only the below-60 crowd that deserves to have an outer space adventure. But even...
- 7/25/2019
- by Tomris Laffly
- Variety Film + TV
How long has it been since Richard Dreyfuss got a proper starring vehicle? No matter what answer you give, the most apt one is this: too long. Well, this weekend, that changes with the release of Astronaut, an independent drama about a man hoping to become an astronaut late in life. Dreyfuss elevates the material, which could get a bit of an extra push considering the recent anniversary of man walking on the moon. Renewed interest in Nasa and space exploration might help put a bit of a bonus spotlight on this one, though Dreyfuss himself is enough of a selling point. Nothing too special is happening here, but it’s a small scale movie that does just enough right in order to warrant a recommendation. The film is a light drama about an older gentleman finally trying to achieve a lifelong dream. Angus (Dreyfuss) was once a highly respected civil engineer,...
- 7/22/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
It’s the beginning of the end for Angus Stewart (Richard Dreyfuss). His wife recently passed after a difficult and costly bout with dementia, his heart isn’t what it used to be, and his family is unsure about what to do to help him adjust. While his daughter Molly (Krista Bridges) and grandson Barney (Richie Lawrence) want him to move in, his son-in-law Jim (Lyriq Bent) can’t help wondering if enduring the strain of another aging parent on a daily basis isn’t good for his wife’s health. Angus will honestly agree to whatever course of action they decide because he knows the inevitable burden being in their house creates whether they’d admit it or not. As long as he can still look up at the stars, he’ll live anywhere.
So of course he grows giddy with excitement when writer/director Shelagh McLeod gives him...
So of course he grows giddy with excitement when writer/director Shelagh McLeod gives him...
- 7/15/2019
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
"You know I have to do this..." "I know you do." Quiver Distribution has unveiled the official trailer for an odd little indie drama titled Astronaut, the feature directorial debut of Canadian-British actress Shelagh McLeod. The concept for this sounds like it could be a super goofy comedy, but it's really a straightforward drama - and it looks very, very cheesy. Richard Dreyfuss stars as a lonely widower who battles his family, ill health, and time, in order to win a competition for a golden ticket to visit space. The cast includes Lyriq Bent, Krista Bridges, Graham Greene, Richie Lawrence, and Colm Feore as the Elon Musk-esque billionaire who offers the once-in-a-lifetime trip to space. I'm stunned this film even exists, seems so bland. Here's the first official trailer (+ two posters) for Shelagh McLeod's Astronaut, direct from YouTube: Angus (Dreyfuss), a lonely widower, has his long-extinguished dream to...
- 5/15/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Richard Dreyfuss and Colm Feore have just wrapped production on their latest movie, Astronaut, a Canadian indie that shot north of Toronto in December, producers confirmed.
Dreyfuss played a lonely widower who battles his family, ill health and time to win a competition for a golden ticket to space.
The ensemble cast included House of Cards star Feore, Lyriq Bent, Krista Bridges, Richie Lawrence, Graham Greene, and a cameo appearance by Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?).
Directed and written by McLeod, Astronaut is produced by Jessica Adams and Sean Buckley and has financing from Telefilm Canada.
Dreyfuss is...
Dreyfuss played a lonely widower who battles his family, ill health and time to win a competition for a golden ticket to space.
The ensemble cast included House of Cards star Feore, Lyriq Bent, Krista Bridges, Richie Lawrence, Graham Greene, and a cameo appearance by Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?).
Directed and written by McLeod, Astronaut is produced by Jessica Adams and Sean Buckley and has financing from Telefilm Canada.
Dreyfuss is...
- 1/30/2018
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Combo Pack with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 10 free Blu-ray and DVD combo packs up for grabs for the home entertainment release of the new comedy “The Best Man Holiday” starring Taye Diggs!
“The Best Man Holiday,” which is rated “R” and was released on Blu-ray and DVD on Feb. 11, 2014, also stars Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, Eddie Cibrian, Riele Downs and Richie Lawrence from writer and director Malcolm D. Lee. Note: You must be 17+ to win this “R”-rated film.
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“The Best Man Holiday,” which is rated “R” and was released on Blu-ray and DVD on Feb. 11, 2014, also stars Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, Eddie Cibrian, Riele Downs and Richie Lawrence from writer and director Malcolm D. Lee. Note: You must be 17+ to win this “R”-rated film.
To win your free “The Best Man Holiday” combo pack courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! The more social actions you complete below, the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of...
- 2/16/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to “The Best Man” sequel “The Best Man Holiday” starring Taye Diggs!
“The Best Man Holiday,” which is rated “R” and opens on Nov. 15, 2013, also stars Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Harold Perrineau, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa, Harold Perrineau, Eddie Cibrian, John Michael Higgins, Richie Lawrence and Millie Davis from writer and director Malcolm D. Lee. Note: You must be 17+ to attend this “R”-rated screening.
To win your free “The Best Man Holiday” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology below. That’s it! This screening is on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning!
“The Best Man Holiday,” which is rated “R” and opens on Nov. 15, 2013, also stars Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Harold Perrineau, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa, Harold Perrineau, Eddie Cibrian, John Michael Higgins, Richie Lawrence and Millie Davis from writer and director Malcolm D. Lee. Note: You must be 17+ to attend this “R”-rated screening.
To win your free “The Best Man Holiday” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology below. That’s it! This screening is on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning!
- 11/4/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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