Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Richard Dreyfus, Lyriq Bent, Krista Bridges, Colm Feore, Richie Lawrence, Art Hindle, Graham Greene, Judy Marshak, Jennifer Phipps, Joan Gregson, Karen LeBlanc, Paulino Nunes, Mike Taylor, Colin Mochrie, Jeff Douglas, Rhona Shekter, Anthony Bekenn, Maria Ricossa, Jason Burke, Alex Hatz, Peter Valdron, Sandra Beech, Jonathan Walton, Lori Hallier, Ryan LaPlante, Rosemary Dunmore.

There have been many moments during 2020 in which what we see on film might not have resonated with us in different times as what they do now. In a period of time when humanity’s resolve is being tested, in which our dreams are being shelved, and which our lives are being questioned, what we witness in any artform is a reflection of the ideal that we must not ignore the warnings, the fear of being deemed inadequate or not worthy of greatness in the future.

Whilst television offers us distraction from the moment, film can offer us a glimpse of what we can achieve when serendipity and destiny come calling. The heights we can achieve even in what is considered old age can far outweigh the thought of safe, slow decline, to go out in a blaze of glory and defy the call of the creaking bones as they suffer in unison in a room full of people with the same complaints and diminishing senses, is one, quite frankly, of adventure, of being human.

Richard Dreyfus is cinematic royalty, maybe a foot wrong here and there with certain roles, but there is no disguising the genuine appreciation he has for the art form, no sense of performing below his best, and in Astronaut, that same deep seated conviction to get the truth of a character is upheld and in which he utterly excels.

The lure of space has been Angus Stewart’s dream, to see the Earth from above, and one that surely every person on the planet has wanted to do since the dawn of time, to see the world as if from the perspective of the gods of antiquity, that is the true last adventure for us all. However, age defies most of us, and like us all, Angus sees his world shrinking, from a house of his own and a respected man with published papers, he realises that time is running out, and when the opportunity of a lifetime is broadcast, like so many others he finds that he must answer to the dreams; and even if he cannot make it into space, he must use his specialist knowledge to save those who can.

Astronaut may have the appearance of gentle-hearted introspection, the same feel like countless other films in which the viewer is urged to never forget their childhood dream, but like the classic Cocoon, there is a lot more going underneath the surface than is first believed, and it is to the credit of the cast, including the excellent Richie Lawrence as Angus’ grandson, Graham Greene as Len and Colin Mochrie, who makes an all too rare appearance in a film, as the interviewer, in which the credibility of Astronaut receives a such deep and enjoyable praise.

To dream unconditionally is to continue to hope, even if it causes us to pause and realise our ultimate destiny, we must strive above the damage being done against us in time of oppression. Astronaut teaches the viewer that with simple and generous direction.

Ian D. Hall