The role of Daniel was written expressly for and played ultimately by Tom Hulce. Daniel is an outcast in his school, a nerd who has the uncanny ability to fly, but who also has the maturity and emotional depth that his schoolmates lack. 20 years later, Daniel flies back to the only girl who was nice to him and whom he almost flew off with, but now she's married to a classmate, and Daniel attempts one more time to take her away with him. But in the ageing process, he's losing his ability to fly... Think of "Peter Pan" meets "Birdy" meets "The Boy Who Could Fly". However, this movie version, which broadcast on PBS's "American Playhouse" series, adds a plot element with "little Daniel," son of the girl and the classmate she married. This plot element only detracts from this clever little play, with commendable performances from all...
American Playhouse (TV Series)
The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket (1986)
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Daniel Rocket Reaches Great Heights!
jbdean11 February 1999
The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket ... a delightful film and wonderful performance by TOM HULCE!
Who wouldn't love Daniel Rocket? Most of his school mates, that 's who. Children can be cruel ... and cruelest to those they don't understand. So is the case with sweet "Snood" (Daniel Rocket, played by TOM HULCE).
Snood, as his best friend calls him, has a secret and a gift that he shares only with two friends ... he can fly! But as with most "gifts", they tend to alienate us rather than bring us closer to people. Being different isn't easy but for those that are ... it's a way of life that has to be dealt with.
Daniel Rocket shows us that being different is not just what some of us are but it's what we should all strive to be! Because, in reality, we're all a little different and accepting this will make living with others more rewarding. For those that choose to ignore that fact will only, eventually, miss out on all the wonders that we all have to share with each other.
Who wouldn't love Daniel Rocket? Most of his school mates, that 's who. Children can be cruel ... and cruelest to those they don't understand. So is the case with sweet "Snood" (Daniel Rocket, played by TOM HULCE).
Snood, as his best friend calls him, has a secret and a gift that he shares only with two friends ... he can fly! But as with most "gifts", they tend to alienate us rather than bring us closer to people. Being different isn't easy but for those that are ... it's a way of life that has to be dealt with.
Daniel Rocket shows us that being different is not just what some of us are but it's what we should all strive to be! Because, in reality, we're all a little different and accepting this will make living with others more rewarding. For those that choose to ignore that fact will only, eventually, miss out on all the wonders that we all have to share with each other.
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