A Million Miles Away 2023

As the sun-kissed 1960s and 1970s give way to the dawn of a new decade, José (Michael Peña) finds himself navigating the complexities of adolescence as his family - comprised of Father Salvador Hernandez (Julio Cesar Cedillo), Brother Beto, mother Julia (Verónica Falcón), and sister Lety - embarks on a journey as migrant workers in California’s fertile grape-growing regions. With their sights set on purchasing a home back in Michoacán once they’ve accumulated sufficient earnings, José’s parents toil tirelessly alongside him in the fields, while he attends school and juggles his studies with the demands of farm labor.

It is amidst this backdrop that Ms. Young (Michelle Krusiec), José’s teacher, takes notice of his budding potential and visits his family at their humble abode to express her concerns about the disruption his nomadic lifestyle poses to his academic pursuits. The young boy’s aspirations are further kindled by the awe-inspiring moon landings of 1969, which inspire him to dream big - specifically, he yearns to become an astronaut.

As the years unfold, José’s family faces adversity when Father Salvador is shortchanged on his wages, prompting a shift in their plans. They decide to settle in California full-time, allowing José to complete his education and eventually earn a degree from the University of the Pacific. In 1985, he secures a position as an engineer at the prestigious Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where cutting-edge research is underway on a top-secret laser weapon designed to protect the United States from incoming ballistic nuclear missiles.

Salvador’s unwavering pride in his family’s sacrifices for José remains a constant refrain throughout the years. However, the young engineer must contend with the sting of racial stereotyping at work, where he is initially mistaken for the new janitor by lab staff. His brother Beto continues to labor in the fields, while José himself is relegated to menial tasks such as photocopying thousands of documents.

With his astronaut ambitions stalled after a rejected NASA application, José seeks to revamp his image and better fit in with his peers. He trades in his beloved 1963 Chevrolet Impala for a used Mazda RX-7, only to meet the enigmatic Adela (Rosa Salazar) while signing the paperwork on his new vehicle. A whirlwind romance ensues, culminating in their marriage and the birth of five children.

Adela’s amusement at José’s astronaut ambitions serves as a poignant reminder that even the most ardent dreams may require a dose of reality. As the narrative unfolds, José must navigate the complexities of his professional life, personal relationships, and the sacrifices made by those closest to him.

As Jose delves into the intricacies of laser design, he stumbles upon a critical flaw - the Beryllium detector’s inability to distinguish between the heat generated by the laser and an explosion. This epiphany prompts him to share his findings with his supervisor, highlighting the potential for spurious readings. With this newfound authority, Jose commands respect from his peers, including Weissberg, who had previously disregarded his input.

Despite being rejected by NASA six times, Adela recognizes Jose’s unwavering dedication to his astronaut dreams and encourages him to push forward. The harsh reality of the selection process - with 12,962 applicants vying for a spot in the elite group of astronauts - only fuels Jose’s determination. He commits himself to becoming a pilot, honing his flying skills and physical fitness through rigorous training.

As he logs an impressive number of dives, Jose expands his linguistic capabilities by learning Russian, one of the many languages spoken by the selected batch of astronauts. After years of dedication, Jose gains proficiency in numerous skills required for the program.

A chance encounter with Clint Logan (Eric Johnson), José’s boss, presents him with a unique opportunity to join a team evaluating a shipment of enriched uranium in Russia. This trip would undoubtedly boost his application to NASA’s space program. In 1999, Jose embarks on a six-month journey to Russia, a crucial stepping stone in his astronautic aspirations.

After multiple rejections, José makes a bold move by hand-delivering his 12th application to Frederick Sturckow (Garret Dillahunt), a veteran of the Space Shuttle program and trainer for incoming astronauts. Impressed by Jose’s perseverance, Sturckow accepts him into the program shortly thereafter.

However, the grueling training takes its toll on José, who struggles to keep pace with his classmates. The devastating news of Beto’s (Bobby Soto) death in a gang-related shootout further undermines his focus. Exhorted by Sturckow to catch up or risk being dismissed from the program, José redoubles his efforts.

A heart-to-heart conversation with Kalpana Chawla (Sarayu Blue), the head trainer and Mission Specialist for STS-107 on Space Shuttle Columbia, helps José gain perspective. She eloquently conveys why the sacrifices made in training are worthwhile - the opportunity to venture into space and make a meaningful impact on humanity.

As José sits surrounded by his family, mesmerized by the broadcast of Columbia’s re-entry, the somber mood is abruptly shifted when news arrives that Columbia has met its demise. Yet, undeterred by this setback, José continues to excel among his NASA classmates, driven by an unyielding passion for exploration.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, José invests in a commercial property, transforming it into Adela’s Mexican restaurant, a venture that would eventually become a beloved gathering place outside the NASA grounds.

Fast-forward to 2008, when Sturckow summons José to a conference room, where he is informed by the selection team that he has been chosen as the Mission Specialist for STS-128. With this life-changing news in hand, José shares it with Adela at her restaurant, and later, his family watches him take center stage at a press conference. As he quotes Beto’s words, “it’s fitting for a migrant farm-worker to venture into the unknowns of space,” José is filled with a sense of pride and purpose.

As the launch date finally arrives, José prepares himself along with the rest of the crew, who board the shuttle and blast off into orbit. Following main engine cutoff, José takes in the breathtaking view of the shuttle cabin, his mind wandering back to the Monarch Butterfly that landed on his father’s arm during a pivotal moment in their family’s history – a moment that had sealed their fate and led them to stay in California. This poignant connection serves as a powerful reminder that José has indeed achieved his long-held dream.

The closing credits reveal that Mission STS-128 spent 13 days docked at the International Space Station, with José indulging in tacos and listening to the soulful tunes of José Alfredo Jiménez’s “El Hijo Del Pueblo” while orbiting above. This remarkable feat marked a historic milestone: José had become the first migrant farm-worker in space. And, as he looks back on his incredible journey, José can still be found tending to his vineyard, Tierra Luna Cellars, in Lodi, California, where he continues to cultivate grapes alongside his father – a testament to the enduring power of family and the American dream.