Film Analysis: ‘A Million Miles Away’ Artfully Narrates the Ascension of an Improbable Astronaut

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“A Million Miles Away” is an uplifting narrative about striving for the seemingly impossible; it chronicles the incredible life of a young man who transitions from being a migrant farmworker to a NASA astronaut.

The film commences in the agricultural expanses of Michoacan, Mexico, where José Hernández gazes at the heavens with awe. The story culminates two hours later with him orbiting Earth at a distance of 200 miles, aboard the International Space Station.

His cousin poses a rhetorical question: “Who is more suited to explore the unknown than a migrant—a person familiar with stepping into the unfamiliar?”

While biographical films often risk overstating their protagonists’ accomplishments, “A Million Miles Away” remains grounded. Much of this is owed to Michael Peña, who portrays Hernández, and Rosa Salazar, who plays his wife. Their performances maintain a sense of realism, reminding viewers that astronauts also have mundane responsibilities, like taking out the garbage.

Based on Hernández’s own memoir, the film unfolds linearly, highlighting key figures who aided his journey, including educators, family members, and parents. Despite multiple rejections from NASA—each letter of which he keeps—the support from his community never wanes.

The path to Hernández’s eventual position as a mission specialist comes at great personal cost. His parents give up their nomadic lives, his wife postpones her entrepreneurial dreams, and Hernández himself forgoes witnessing the birth of a child due to his relentless preparation. On his first day at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he is even mistaken for custodial staff.

Rather than simply glorifying Hernández’s achievements, “A Million Miles Away” thoughtfully delves into issues such as racism, cultural assimilation, deferred aspirations, and familial dedication. Amidst the plethora of superhero movies, the film asserts that “perseverance is a superpower.”

In a broader cultural context, the film resonates with another biopic released the same year—”Flamin’ Hot,” which explores the life of a Mexican American janitor who invents the popular snack, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The two stories converge when a bowl of Doritos appears on screen in “A Million Miles Away.”

Under the deft direction of Alejandra Márquez Abella, the film offers elegant cinematic moments. For instance, a box filled with administrative papers smoothly transitions into a box of crops. However, there are instances where symbolism—like a Monarch butterfly in space—feels forced.

Engaging scenes include Hernández’s efforts to conform to the NASA archetype, such as exchanging his Impala for a more suburban vehicle, or opting for sandwiches over enchiladas. A poignant, dialogue-free scene stands out: Hernández driving through the gates of NASA headquarters, a song by Los Tigres del Norte echoing from his vehicle.

While Peña provides a measured portrayal of his character, Salazar almost eclipses the film with her compelling performance as a resilient, devoted wife and mother.

In a touching finale, Hernández dons his astronaut uniform for the first time and visits his wife’s restaurant, only to be dispatched to the kitchen; they are short of a dishwasher. It serves as an authentic encapsulation of a family’s enduring resilience.

“A Million Miles Away,” available on Amazon Prime Video, carries a PG rating for “thematic elements and language.” Its runtime is 120 minutes and it earns a three-out-of-four-star rating.

For further information, visit ‘A Million Miles Away’ on Prime Video.

Mark Kennedy can be reached at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits.

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More about A Million Miles Away biopic

• A Million Miles Away on Amazon Prime Video
• Michael Peña’s Filmography
• Rosa Salazar’s Filmography
• NASA’s Astronaut Selection Program
• Biopics That Inspire
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Film Ratings and Parental Guidance
• José Hernández’s Memoir
• Flamin’ Hot Biopic
• Mexican-American Culture in Films