--- title: A Million Miles Away description: Lisa M. Hendey reviews a new film that not only entertains us but also challenges us to examine our own deeply held aspirations. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230920%20LHendey%207.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/a-million-miles-away#) [MEDIA](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/media) # A Million Miles Away Sep 20, 2023 8:30:00 AM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230920%20LHendey%207.png) *Lisa M. Hendey reviews a new film that not only entertains us but also challenges us to examine our own deeply held aspirations.* --- Released September 8 in theaters and on September 15 on Prime, the new Amazon Studios film *[A Million Miles Away](https://amzn.to/3EsQcIw)* is as full of heart as our galaxy is full of stars. It’s a remarkably engaging story of the power of one man’s dream and the many ingredients that go into helping that dream come true. ## Synopsis: > Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, A Million Miles Away follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm worker on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives, and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive & determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal. Acclaimed writer and director Alejandra Márquez Abella has created a > dazzling tribute to the loyalty and tenacity of the entire Hernández family, as well as anyone who dares to dream. > > Source: Amazon Studios     I love movies based on true stories. This one touched my heart deeply since I spent so much of my life living in California’s Central Valley and connecting deeply with men and women whose lives were spent working the land. Michael Peña is fantastic as José Hernandez, the first migrant farmworker to travel to space. Immediately after screening the film, I went to my library queue and placed a hold on [*Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut*](https://amzn.to/3Z71RWQ), written by Hernández and Monica Rojas Rubin.   ![null](https://275132.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/275132/hubfs/20230920%20LHendey%203.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=20230920%20LHendey%203.png) Juan Pablo Monterrubio as “José Hernández” in the drama, **A MILLION MILES AWAY**, an Amazon Studios release. Photo courtesy of Daniel Daza/Prime. ![null](https://275132.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/275132/hubfs/20230920%20LHendey%202.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=20230920%20LHendey%202.png) Director Alejandra Márquez Abella behind the scenes of the drama, **A MILLION MILES AWAY**, an Amazon Studios release. Photo courtesy of Daniel Daza/Prime. ![null](https://275132.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/275132/hubfs/20230920%20LHendey%204.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=20230920%20LHendey%204.png) Rosa Salazar as “Adela Hernandez” and Michael Peña as “José Hernández” in the drama, **A MILLION MILES AWAY**, an Amazon Studios release. Photo courtesy of Daniel Daza/Prime. ![null](https://275132.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/275132/hubfs/20230920%20LHendey%205.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=20230920%20LHendey%205.png) Michael Peña as “José Hernández” in the drama, **A MILLION MILES AWAY**, an Amazon Studios release. Photo courtesy of Daniel Daza/Prime.   While our attention is squarely focused on José and his mission to attain astronaut status, this film is truly about an entire family’s work to grasp for a better life. Long before we see José striving, we meet his parents and siblings and learn of their willingness to set their own goals aside in order for José to have a chance at the best possible education. There’s a darling love story between José and his lovely bride Adela which also includes their extended families. Ultimately, we see how José, Adela, and their own children become not only part of José’s dreams but Adela’s as well. Along the way, we witness the toll this takes on the entire clan. *[A Million Miles Away](https://amzn.to/3EsQcIw)* is the kind of film that not only entertains us but also challenges us to examine our own deeply held aspirations. I found myself pondering the unmet goals I have in my life and asking whether or not I have both the stamina and the imagination to continue to pursue them regardless of the costs. I love this film both for its inspirational message and also for the fact that it is family-friendly entertainment that enables us to watch together and then sit and chat about how this applies to our own stories. All the more compelling because of its basis in historical events, *[A Million Miles Away](https://amzn.to/3EsQcIw)* reminds us that with all of the best ingredients, we really can shoot for the stars. *A Million Miles Away is Rated PG for thematic elements and language. The film opened in select theaters on September 8, 202*3,* and on [streaming via Amazon Prime Video](https://amzn.to/3R7PpUZ) on September 15, 2023.*   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20230920%20LHendey%20MMAway-1037x1536.jpeg?width=1037&height=1536&name=20230920%20LHendey%20MMAway-1037x1536.jpeg)     --- Copyright 2023 Lisa M. Hendey Images: Amazon Studios This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fa-million-miles-away%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fa-million-miles-away%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fa-million-miles-away%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=A%20Million%20Miles%20Away) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fa-million-miles-away%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fa-million-miles-away%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ 3 Simple Ways You Can Support Displaced Families Today Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/09/05/3-simple-ways-you-can-support-syrian-families-today) [ Catholic Mom and Military Spouse Shares on Shutdown Realities for Catholic Military Families Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/10/04/catholic-mom-and-military-spouse-shares-on-shutdown-realities-for-catholic-military-families) [ Florida Parish on the Cutting Edge of Digital Ministry Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/10/21/florida-parish-on-the-cutting-edge-of-digital-ministry) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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