I remember seeing film critic Mark Kermode give his opinion for this film on the BBC News Film Review, it sounded like something charming, and I hadn't seen the lead actor in anything since his cameo in the opening of Piranha. Basically, Angus Stewart (Richard Dreyfuss, also producing) is a seventy-five-year-old retired civil engineer who specialised in geology. Following the recent death of his wife, widower Angus has been diagnosed with numerous health ailments, including heart problems. It is advised that he can no longer live alone, leaving his family to deal with caring for him. His daughter, Molly Williams (Krista Bridges), wants Angus to live with her and her family, but she is already overworked, trying to sell his house and his donkey sanctuary, which was bought by his wife, who was duped. Molly's husband, bank investment broker Jim Williams (Saw II's Lyriq Bent), cannot deal with the responsibility and suggest he live in a care home. Angus is distracted from his ill health and the dysfunctional situation by his preteen grandson, Barney (Richie Lawrence), who shares his dreams and ambitions. Meanwhile, billionaire Marcus Brown (Colm Feore), CEO of the Ventura Corporation, announces a competition giving three lucky people the opportunity to join him on the world's first commercial space flight. The process will shortlist a dozen candidates in a lottery, with three whittled down to one winner chosen via public voting. Barney urges Angus to apply for the competition, but the age limit is up to sixty-five years old. Barney knows that his grandfather has always dreamed of going into space and suggests he could lie about his age to be eligible. After much pondering, Angus decides in the last few minutes of the lottery countdown, to lie and apply. Angus is moved into a home for other retired elderly people, and makes friendships with the other residents, with his family visiting as often as possible. The residents are watching the news broadcast announcing the three candidates chosen in the lottery, and Angus is amazed to hear his name announced. Barney films his grandfather giving a heartfelt explanation about why he would love the opportunity to go into space. Jim and Barney take Angus to the site where the launching will take place, with a rocket designed to take off like a conventional plane before going into orbit. On the launch site however, Angus notices problems with the ground surface. Angus, along with the other two younger contenders, is interviewed to give his reasons people should vote for him, but his health problems cause him to stall, and they are forced to cut the interview short. He is taken for medical testing, he is cleared days later, but the doctors are aware that his health is not good. Angus is informed that one of the younger male contestants was chosen. Angus is downhearted, but his concerns that Brown is rushing into this space flight is still playing on his mind. He examines maps and charts of the runway which he kept in his possession, from his former career, and he discovers there are indeed problems. He tries to explain his findings to his family, but they do not initially believe, thinking that his health declining is causing him to become paranoid and confused. But eventually Barney convinces them that he may be right and need to tell the flight team. After some time, Angus's finding is acknowledged and the flight is delayed, and the original footage Barney took of Angus and his passion to go into space is uploaded onto social media. Months later, Angus is the astronaut in the spacesuit, and he cries with happiness as he is blasted into space. Some time later, it is revealed that Angus passed away (possibly during the spaceflight), and his family gather to mourn his passing, looking at the night sky and calling to him. Also starring Art Hindle as Joe, Graham Greene as Len, Judy Marshak as Nurse Judy, Jennifer Phipps as Alice, Joan Gregson as Frannie, Karen LeBlanc as Elisa, Paulino Nunes as Bill, and Mimi Kuzyk as Liz. Dreyfuss does very well as the old man who dreams of reaching the stars, and Lawrence stands out as his enthusiastic grandson who will do anything he can to help his grandfather achieve his dream. I agree that the contest element and build up to the mission is a little clunky, but the interactions of the characters, especially the family gatherings, are heart-warming and compelling, overall, it is a worthwhile sweet drama. Good!
