John Corbett plays Mike Kersjes, a special education teacher who helps his students achieve their impossible dream: to attend Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Their inspiring journey is based on a true story. Space Camp is a competitive educational program. Although it was designed for gifted science students, Mike decides participating in the summer program would do wonders for the self-esteem of his young, special ed students - one especially who wants be an astronaut. Kersjes is aided in his mission by another teacher, Robynn McKinney (Jessy Schram). He faces incredible obstacles to make his impossible dream become a reality. But it was after they were finally given the green light that the real challenge began - how to get kids with Down Syndrome, Tourette's learning disabilities and emotional problems to coalesce into a team. After nine months of rigorous training preparation, the class molded itself into a working team where they turned in a performance so surprising that it will leave you amazed. SPECIAL FEATURE INCLUDED: The Making Of A SMILE AS BIG AS THE MOON - The behind-the-scenes story was just as inspiring as the movie itself. Many of the special ed students are played by young actors who are, themselves, "special." Down Syndrome, ADD, autism, dyslexia, etc. - real kids with real special needs playing real kids with real special needs. RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes PLUS BONUS FEATURES. WIDESCREEN VERSION - 5.1 DOLBY SURROUND.
M**M
Hand it out to NICU parents
Uplifting on multiple levels. Based on real events, with actors that understand the real challenges.
M**E
Movie
I love playing this movie for my science classes. The kids love it and get so into it! They beg to watch it day after day until it’s finished.
A**R
MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD!
Great movie.
S**E
Wonderful Story!
I enjoy stories from history, particularly when they're heartwarming. This remarkable teacher enriched the live's of so many young students with special needs. And in a time when many saw it as a waste of time. For their annual camp experience, they wanted to go to Space Camp. They had to compete for a spot to even apply. After training for a year they succeeded. The Camp then denied their application. After many rejections, he pressed them to at least give them a chance to try.They had to be able to do everything, no exceptions. They worked very hard and pushed themselves to succeed and were able to go.All involved were impressed and the program took that success and eventually opened it to all.
M**Y
You can have your dreams come true!
This movie, based on a true story, shows that everyone has a talent and no one is to be cast aside because of a handicap! Those who work with the handicapped need patience and love to bring out their positive qualities. The children had dreams of doing something that would be difficult even for normal kids. John Corbett didn’t sugarcoat the project, but told them how hard they would have to work to even be considered for space camp. He did not coddle them nor give up on them when they didn’t succeed on their first or second or third try. John made them try harder and they were successful. Makes you wonder if we expect too little from handicapped persons. Maybe we should work harder from day one to stimulate their senses. Maybe handicapped people just need a “jump start”. If nothing is expected of them, nothing will be accomplished by them. Great movie for families of a handicapped child, to know they are capable of more than you think or have been told they are capable of doing. Also, for families with normal kids to teach them respect for all children!
C**Z
Increible
La pelicula me Encanto, maestro coraje, disiplina. Y trabajo en equipo.
J**E
It's a really good movie!
The movie is a true story and really cute. Entertaining for young children and adults.
E**H
Want a huge smile for your heart?
The Hallmark movie A Smile as big as the Moon is one of the most uplifting movie I've seen in a long time. I love when teachers go above and beyond for the love of their students. This true story reflects the story of an incredible man and woman who work with special education students. Through their hard work they were able to teach them and guide them to go to Space Camp. This movie will grab your heart. I especially loved it because I was a teacher for 43 years.
A**R
This is a Region 1 disk!
Somewhere in the details it might have been nice to note that this is a Region 1 encoded dvd. It doesn't. Not having a region free player (does Amazon do one? Yes, it does a lot of them as I found after original post!) I have yet to play the film. I have seen the film before and it rates 5 stars +, so the one star rating is for an inadequately described product. Seriously I would rather get a region free player than return this!
P**Y
It was amazing.
What he was trying to get these young people who were special needs to do and be so normal. It was amazing.
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