Film Review – A Million Miles Away

“A Million Miles Away” tells the story of Jose M. Hernandez, who worked his way through systems of migrant farmwork and government employment to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut for NASA. It’s the kind of story Hollywood loves, using elements of underdog cinema and “based on a true story” screenwriting to provide a heartwarming understanding of personal drive and the power of family. Against all odds, the feature works, wonderfully at times, with the Disneyfication of the material handled well by the screenplay, and director Alejandra Marquez Abella offers a graceful understanding of time, setting, and especially actors, with star Michael Pena delivering the finest performance of his career in this lovely picture. “A Million Miles Away” makes familiar moves when it comes to depicting the roadblocks to success, but Abella crafts an engrossing study of achievement and support, helping to avoid the roughness of cliché. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com