The Right Stuff

What’s the Story?

As the Cold War begins, America strives to achieve super-sonic flight. But once Soviet satellite Sputnik captures international attention, putting a man in space becomes America's top priority. The movie juxtaposes Edwards Air Force Base, where Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard) makes history as the most daring pilot alive, and Cape Canaveral, where a few carefully selected men, including John Glenn (Ed Harris) and Gordon "Gordo" Cooper (Dennis Quaid), train diligently to be hurled into space. As NASA scientists and engineers struggle to come up with a feasible rocket, the astronauts (and their wives) struggle with the tremendous risks of their profession, along with sudden, overwhelming fame. Once NASA devises a rocket capable of surviving a launch, the seven astronauts deemed to have THE RIGHT STUFF band together and form a heroic team.

Is It Any Good?

This fine adaptation of Tom Wolfe's best-selling book is over three hours long, but a well-structured story, stellar acting, and exciting action sequences make the time fly. Especially hilarious is a ridiculous sequence where the astronauts-to-be, including ultra-cocky contestant Gordo, undergo a barrage of pointless medical and endurance tests. The only fellow who seems unruffled by the ordeal is John Glenn (now a U.S. Senator in real life), a former Marine whose charm and moral stature never waver. The movie is an epic love letter to America's aviator heroes, but its reverent tone is interjected with plenty of humor. Good for tweens and teens.