Rocket is an emotive and captivating drama about a teenage girl and her relationships with her dad and best friend. Released in 2016, this emotional film captures the struggles of family dynamics, loss, and the search for identity that touch upon the lives of its central characters. The film follows the story of a young girl named Rocket (played by Lizzie Clarke), who lives alone with her father (played by Danny Downey) in an impoverished area of rural Texas. With a dream of becoming an astronaut, the intelligent and ambitious Rocket is a straight-A student who immerses herself in books about space and science. However, she is often teased and bullied by her classmates at school, who call her "Rocket the pocket" because of her small stature.
Despite being neglected by her father who is often absent, Rocket still longs for his affection and looks up to him as a superhero. All changes when Rocket's dad leaves on a business trip and fails to return as planned, which forces her to confront the reality of her situation. To make matters worse, her only friend, a talented musician named Dakota (played by Cameron Diskin), who lives next door, moves away without warning. Left alone and bereft of any parental love or support, Rocket struggles to survive and fulfill her dream.
As Rocket tries to make sense of her situation, she befriends a man named Leo (played by Nickolaus Schnetzky), who is a recluse and keeps to himself. Rocket takes comfort in the company of Leo, and the two become friends. She confides in him, and together, they often sit and watch the stars. For Rocket, this provides a sense of hope for the future.
As the story progresses, Rocket's dad returns, and the estranged father and daughter try to reconnect. But things are not as smooth as Rocket had hoped, and the two have to work through their issues. Rocket also starts hanging out with a new group of friends who are a bit troublesome, but she tries to fit in with them in her quest for acceptance.
Rocket, who continues to study space and the universe, becomes fascinated with the idea of black holes. Through her journey of self-discovery, Rocket learns that just like black holes, she has the power to attract things towards her, including love.
The film is shot in a realistic and raw style and is beautifully written, which makes the characters feel real, flawed, and authentic. The actors deliver solid and compelling performances, which bring the characters to life. The cinematography is also noteworthy, as it captures the essence of the rural Texas landscape, which feels like a character in the film itself.
In summary, Rocket is an engaging and poignant film that explores themes of family, loss, and self-discovery through the eyes of a brave and determined young girl. It is a story that is heart-warming, emotional, and inspiring, and it reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to reach for the stars.
Rocket is a 2016 family movie with a runtime of 28 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.