Homer Hickam's Struggle In The Film, October Sky

October Sky is set in the small mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia during the 1950s, the time of the space race between America and Russia. The film tracks Homer Hickam, a young boy interested in creating and building rockets. Homer eventually gets a group of three friends from school to help him create a rocket. Unfortunately, Homer faces a lot of challenges including trouble getting the right materials for the rocket and he faces pushback from his father who disapproves of his dream of building a rocket and winning the science fair. However, there is also a group of people in the town of Coalwood that support him and help him out.
Since the film is set in the heart of coal country it was inevitable that it provide a glimpse into the lives of coal miners. It tackles the controversies and dangerous working conditions faced by the coal miners and their families. The men and women living in this town are deeply connected to the coal mine, and everything that happens there affects them. An example of the struggles they face is when there is an accident and all the town people crowd the mine to see who has passed away in the incident. It is as if there lives and souls are poured into the mine. But, the mine does not offer very much in return as it destroys there health and gives them a false promise.

Homer Hickam, the main character is an inspiration and symbol of achievement for the people of Coalwood.

At the start of the movie we see him become inspired to set of a rocket, and he quickly acts on his dream by getting a group of friends to help him out. He embodies everything characteristic that leads any person to success, he works hard, never gives up, and is not afraid to learn new things. His hard work pays of and his success of putting a rocket into space captures the attention of the entire town. Eventually, his amazing feat captures the attention of the entire country when he win the nation science

fair.
Another important character is Miss Riley a highschool teacher in the town of Coalwood. Although many people in the town support homer and his friends in there attempt to win the science fair, Miss Riley is there biggest support. She provides the inspiration they needed to believe that there dreams were possible. Perhaps without Miss Relays unwavering support they would of never been able to win the science fair. Miss Riley helps them fight against the people that try and stop them from attempting there dream. For example, Miss Riley stands up for the boys when the principal insist that they stop firing of rockets. She always gives them the opportunity to prove others wrong. She is a strong voice that advocates on their behalf and helps make their dream a reality.
I rate this movie four and a half stars out of five; it is an inspirational and moving movie film that is suspenseful and moving. It was interesting to see what life was like for coaling miners in West Virginia. I also enjoyed seeing the how the town found inspiration and hope in the rocket boys. The only reason I did not give it the full five stars is because at times I thought was a little underdeveloped. For example, I wish that they went into more detail about what ended up happening to the mine.