Rocket Science
Rocket Science

Rocket Science

2007Movie101 minEnglish

Hal is a 15-year-old high-school student with a minor yet socially alienating (and painful) disability: he stutters uncontrollably. Determined to work through the problem, Hal opts for an extreme route – he joins the school debating team, which sends him on a headfirst plunge into breakneck speech competitions and offers a much-needed boost toward correcting the problem.

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Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic84/100
Google Users87%
Director: Jeffrey BlitzGenres: Comedy, Drama, Coming-of-age

Plot Summary

In 1950s New Jersey, an intensely shy and stuttering high school student named Hal aspires to join the school's debate team, despite his crippling fear of public speaking. His life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes infatuated with his step-sister's captivating but enigmatic friend, Ginny. Driven by his crush and a desire to overcome his limitations, Hal embarks on a challenging journey of self-discovery and emotional growth.

Critical Reception

Rocket Science received widespread critical acclaim for its unique blend of humor and pathos, its witty script, and its standout performances, particularly from its young lead. Critics praised its honest portrayal of adolescent awkwardness and the complexities of human connection.

What Reviewers Say

  • A quirky and charming coming-of-age story with sharp writing.
  • Praised for its authentic depiction of adolescent anxiety and social dynamics.
  • Reece Daniel Thompson's performance as the stuttering protagonist was widely lauded.

Google audience: Audiences particularly appreciated the film's humor, its relatable characters, and the emotional depth that resonated with their own experiences of growing up. The unique storytelling and heartfelt performances were frequently highlighted as positive aspects.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2007).

Fun Fact

Director Jeffrey Blitz, who also directed the documentary 'Spellbound,' drew inspiration for the film from his own experiences with stuttering as a child.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Patrick E. Abe

Patrick E. Abe

The first thing I found WRONG about this movie is the title. "Rocket Science" suggests a movie like "October Sky," which IS about the Math required to calculate and understand rocketry. This (somewhat) off beat look at high school via a ton...