***While early access to the film was provided, all opinions are my own.***
Should you Google “Jose Hernandez astronaut” prior to watching Amazon Prime’s “A Million Miles Away”?
You could – and discover the unknown (at least to me) story of NASA astronaut, Jose Hernandez.
Or, you might quell the urge to search the web, and allow Amazon Prime to bring his story to your living room.
Either way, make sure to watch Hernandez’ inspiring story with your kids!
“A Million Miles Away” begins with the Hernandez family’s annual trek from Mexico to the farm fields of Stockton, California. The Hernandez children would attend school by day and work along side of their parents picking berries until sundown during the harvest.
During those long days in the fields, Jose’s father laid out a “recipe” for persevering no matter your current circumstances. The film segments Hernandez’s rise to becoming a NASA astronaut through his father’s five “ingredients”:
- Start with a goal.
- Know how far you are from the goal.
- Draw a map.
- If don’t know how, learn.
- When you think you made it, you probably have to work harder.
Any parent watching the film with their children should point out, not only Jose’s dogged determination to chase a (seemingly) impossible dream, but his ability to shake off consistent rejection while working to improve his credentials to (possibly) bring his aspiration closer to reality.
If there is “a moment” during the film, it is Hernandez’ twelveth attempt at NASA spot, his live “elevator pitch” to the admissions officer who’d said “No” to his resume eleven times before.
Man, what a story – and shown so beautifully on-screen by Director, Alejandra Márquez Abella.
I would make a few notes for families watching “A Million Miles Away”. First, the film was a bit long for the little ones. At a runtime of just over two hours, while Jose’s long journey deserved the time, it was just hard to keep the kids engaged throughout. Next, while I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the mixing in of Spanish, viewers that dislike subtitles should be adequately warned of their occasionally (and totally appropriate) presence. Lastly, in a time of such political division about the border issues between the US and Mexico, I sincerely hope that no families are put off by a story that begins with a migrant family. Prejudging the film from a political lens would be unfortunate.
Your family will be well-served by learning about Jose Hernandez – watch the movie!
I needed a “pick-me-up” and “A Million Miles Away” on Amazon Prime provided it. And, those five “ingredients” Jose Hernandez used to make his dream a reality will stick with me. I hope they stick with my children, too.
Alas, no Googling is required.
