The website's critics consensus reads: "Astronaut can't quite escape the gravitational pull of its story's sentimental overtones, but Richard Dreyfuss keeps the film in a pleasantly diverting orbit.

"[4] Mark Kemode's film of the week in The Guardian British daily newspaper, stating "this wistful drama from Shelagh McLeod (her directorial feature debut) may not be earth-shattering, yet it retains the power to charm, thanks in large part to a central performance by Richard Dreyfuss that ranks among his best work...it’s Dreyfuss who carries the movie, pulling us over the cracks in the narrative, drawing us into his world, providing a much-needed element of magic."

Variety found the film not believable, warning viewers to "lower your expectations", and the cinematography "flat"; yet concluded that the director had "deliver[ed] in the inspiration department".

His brooding role requires him to dial down his signature live-wire energy, though McLeod indulges him with a few pleasing bursts of the old manic, fast-talking intensity.

At times, Angus could almost be an older cousin of Roy Neary from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, still obsessively watching the skies, still dreaming of the stars."