A Million Miles Away
Summary
Some of the estimable stories are the most inspiring ones , but biopics can fail the very real masses they ’re based on . This is especially honest if the film in question is focalize more on the message than the person at its center . Directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella from a screenplay by her , Bettina Gilois , and Hernán Jiménez , A Million Miles Awayis based on the rightful history of José Hernández , a Mexican - American son of a farmworker who dream of becoming an astronaut and going to infinite . A Million Miles Awayis genuine in the direction it present its story , and the struggle Hernández endures , but it ’s also so optical maser - focused on his space goal that it forgets to explore his internal life .
José Hernández ( Juan Pablo Monterrubio ) has long harbored dreams of becoming an astronaut and work for NASA . His elementary school instructor , Miss Young ( Michelle Krusiec ) sees how gifted he is in math and believe he can go far . After paying a sojourn to his family , who travel to different farm in California for study , José ’s father ( Julio César Cedillo ) decides to keep the family in Stockton so that José does n’t drop anything in school . year later on , the adult José ( Michael Peña ) is now an engine driver who land a job he wants his parents to be proud of . But he never forgets about his cosmonaut end , constantly applying toNASA ’s space political program , only to receive one rejection after the other . With the documentation of his married woman Adela ( Rosa Salazar ) , José works to reset the science needed for NASA ’s rejection to turn into an acceptation .
The biopic has a lot of heart , and there are quite a few touching moments . The narration is fuel by José ’s perseverance and doggedness in the boldness of rejection . Achieving a dream takes its cost on José ’s kinsperson over the class , andA Million Miles Awaydoesn’t shy away from showcasing how hard one ’s singular goal can be on everyone they ’re near to . There is a lot of sacrifice , frustration , and guiltiness , and the biographical drama is attuned to how such tactile sensation regard José ’s relationship , especially the one he shares with Adela , whose own dreams are often put on hold while she take on the brunt of syndicate responsibility . The handwriting is easy in its handling of José ’s personal life , and that is reflected in the way Márquez Abella frames the scenes . The director is able to show — be it through montages and item-by-item scenes — the resilience and strength it takes to overcome obstruction .
Peña is also able to advance the film through his performance , his portrayal conveying the undeterred spirit of José ’s troth . It does n’t always help that the film does n’t delve deeply into José ’s interiority , but the role player does a lot with the material provided , showcasing the myriad of emotion his character experience at every turning . The scene stealer is perhaps Salazar , who does some wakeless employment with the picayune she is given . A Million Miles Awayrarely give way her more to do beyond the role of supportive married woman , but it at least engages with the frustration she experience about José ’s dreams , and how they have at times stifled her own . Throughout the motion-picture show , Salazar is telling , conveying Adela ’s love , vexation , support , and awe ; they ’re write on her face so clearly , even if she does n’t always give spokesperson to them .
And while the biopic is a story for those who dream bighearted despite the vault aliveness can throw , or the inequality build into the system , it colour over much of José ’s personal animation to the hurt of the overall tale . José ’s entire personality revolves around his ambition of being an astronaut ; it practically choke his fibre , keep any further development beyond that single goal . He and Adela might run into conflict , but it ’s a bit jarring when their conversations — especially as it pertains to her disquiet — are cut short . Characterizations are developing in general , and there could have been more time spent on other aspects of José ’s life and relationship , providing him and the film with more depth .
That aside , A Million Miles Awayis a good - natured , feel - in effect , and heartfelt biopic . It has enough to keep you engaged and José Hernández ’s news report is one to root for , his dreaming , perseverance , and ambition lease front and essence . And though it does n’t delve too much beyond the surface , the picture gets its point across and does so in a touching way . The buildup at least leads to an emotionally comforting close that is certain to tower at the heartstrings regardless of some of the character development it result behind along the way .
Micahel Peña in A Million Miles Away
A Million Miles Awayis now stream on Prime Video . The film is 121 minutes long and blackleg PG for thematic element and language .
Based on the true story of Nasa Engineer who came from a migrant Fannie Merritt Farmer family , A Million Miles away tells the story of José Hernández on his 10 - foresighted quest to travel to outer outer space . The picture follows José , his home , and his supportive residential area as they derive together to help him accomplish the dream they all now stock .
Michael Peña and Rosa Salazar in A Million Miles Away
