Synopsis
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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Cast
- Nicholas D'AgostoBen Wekselbaum
- Margo MartindaleCoach Lumbly
- Reece ThompsonHal Hefner
- Anna KendrickGinny Ryerson
- Jonah HillJunior Philosopher
- Denis O'HareDoyle Hefner
- Vincent PiazzaEarl Hefner
- Aaron YooHeston
- Utkarsh AmbudkarRam
- Candace HammerTownsend Prep Debater
Recommendations
- 90
Film Threat
This is one of those films that will either hit it big as an indie crossover like "Little Miss Sunshine,” or just make some money and become a film nerd favorite. Either way I recommend you don’t miss this awkwardly fun gem. - 88
Premiere
As fate would have it, Rocket Science might prove to be the handiwork of a burgeoning cinematic genius. - 88
TV Guide Magazine
Teenage angst and adolescent agony are the stuff of sharp, observant comedy this quirky, wonderfully dry first fiction feature from documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Blitz (Spellbound). - 75
Philadelphia Inquirer
Blitz captures the melancholy, the rage, the wackiness and drama of adolescence, and he gets winning performances out of his young stars. - 75
Christian Science Monitor
Blitz captures high school atmosphere well – not an easy thing to do – but overall the movie coasts on quirkiness. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
Catapulted by an endearing lead performance by Reece Daniel Thompson as a stuttering high-school student, Rocket Science transcends the predictable high-school yarn and arcs into usually unexplored domains of self-discovery and personal growth in a coming-of-age film. - 70
Variety
This unusually voluble comedy is as eloquent about love, self-realization and adolescent angst as its protagonist is endearingly tongue-tied. - 63
ReelViews
The problem with Rocket Science is that the character at the center of the drama isn't very energetic or, truth be told, interesting. This makes it difficult at times to remain engaged in the unfolding tale.
