‘A Million Miles Away’ is inspiring and worth watching

Category: Television and Streaming

The new film, A Million Miles Away, is quite simply inspiring. Dedication, perspiration, hard work, and sheer will are what Jose Hernandez’s life encompassed ever since he was a small boy. This story is based on his life, with Michael Peña portraying the boy who, through a lot of ups and downs, finally realized his life’s ambition – to be an astronaut.

Jose’s family were migrant farm workers who moved from town to town working in the fields. This upsetting situation took a toll on the children who always had to start in a new school whenever the family changed locations for work. But when one teacher saw the intelligence and potential in Jose, she confronted his parents and although they had to give up a lot, they decided the futures of their children were more important than earning enough money to purchase the house of their dreams.

Jose grew up, went to college, became an engineer, got married, and had a lot of children. But even though he was happy with his family and working in his job, which afforded him benefits, an office, and plenty of admiration from his peers (after they got over the fact that he was from a migrant family), his ambition to be an astronaut never left his mind. That was his goal. But time after time his applications to NASA were declined.

Being the loving and devoted wife she was, Adela (Rosa Salazar) encouraged him to work hard to gain the experience that attracted NASA candidates. So, what did he do? He took her advice, learned to fly, scuba dive, learned to speak Russian, and took on additional challenges that would hopefully add to his application. But even though he did this, he was still declined.

Then on his twelfth try, instead of mailing in his application, upon Adela’s suggestion Jose hand delivered it to the powers that be at the Johnson Space Center in Texas. This afforded him the opportunity to show the program head Sturckow (Garret Dillahunt) how dedicated he was about getting into the space program.

Initiative was what it took for Jose to finally get accepted.

Upon his acceptance to NASA, his family relocated to Texas while Jose undertook the rigorous training. His absence from family life, although he tried to be present as much as possible, was in a way reminiscent of his own childhood when his family was always working in the fields. But what his parents instilled in him as a youngster was still part of his life as an adult. That was that family is important and doing what you can for the future of your children counted as much as anything.

And while he was in training, Jose managed to help Adela realize her dream of opening her own restaurant. One hand scratches the other. And, a cute side note, is that during his training as an astronaut, Jose helped out in the restaurant waiting tables and washing dishes. Their marriage was/is a true partnership.

Being a true story, those who follow the space program know that Jose did make it on the space shuttle. Family dedication, working hard, helping each other, and persistence are the themes running through this inspiring tale. It shows the difficult life of migrant workers but the main point is it’s not where you start it’s where you finish. So, from working in the fields in the mud and dirt, Jose ended up in space looking down on the land where he and his family had toiled for years.

A Million Miles Away premieres September 15, 2023 on Prime Video. It is well worth watching. And remember – hard work, intelligence, dedication, and perseverance can do amazing things.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.