A SMILE AS BIG AS THE MOON
An uplifting family story about courage, love, and big dreams.
Should You Watch It?
A SMILE AS BIG AS THE MOON is the kind of family movie that wants you to believe people can overcome enormous obstacles when someone believes in them. Its emotional center is a teacher who fights for students with severe disabilities and pushes them toward goals others may consider impossible.
The film’s moral strength is its depiction of love, family, perseverance, and the dignity of students who are too often underestimated. It also offers an entertaining, fun story with poignant scenes about overcoming all odds. The content concerns are limited but real, including one profanity, one obscenity, light scatological humor, and upper male nudity.
If you’re choosing a movie for older children and adults, this is a warm, morally uplifting choice. The practical answer: your family should watch it.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESMike Kersjes is a high school special education teacher and football coach with a big dream for his class: taking the students to Space Camp.
The journey requires more than permission. Mike and his students must overcome school opposition, persuade Space Camp to admit them, raise $20,000, and prepare for a demanding curriculum a year in advance. Their goal will require hard work, courage, and the determination to keep going when others doubt them.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an especially successful family movie. The plot points are clear, the story is entertaining and fun, and the audience can believe in the students’ purpose.
John Corbett gives a strong performance as Mike Kersjes, convincingly portraying a teacher who fights for his students’ rights, believes in them, and helps them pursue their greatest goals. The film’s poignant scenes and huge heart make its uplifting message emotionally effective.
The Worldview
A SMILE AS BIG AS THE MOON presents a strong moral worldview centered on love and family. It values treating students with dignity, believing in their abilities, and helping them work toward meaningful goals rather than allowing others to define their limits.
The film also presents “tough love” as part of caring well. Mike does not simply let his students avoid difficulty; he pushes them to learn, strive, and prepare. The movie’s moral vision is that love includes commitment, patience, advocacy, and the willingness to help others overcome serious challenges.
Its central emphasis on loving others and believing in their worth aligns with the biblical call to bear one another’s burdens. Scripture says, “Love is patient and kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral worldview extolling love and family; one profanity, one obscenity, some light scatological humor; pushing and fighting and teasing of the special education students; no sexual content but kissing between married couple; upper male nudity; no smoking, no drug use; and, teasing but rebuked.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
What does it look like to love someone by believing in them and helping them grow?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Galatians 6:2Mike pushes his students to work toward a difficult goal. When does encouragement require patience, and when does it require loving challenge?
Proverbs 27:17 · Hebrews 10:24How should we respond when other people underestimate someone because of a disability or challenge?
James 2:1–4 · Philippians 2:3–4What obstacles have you faced that required perseverance, and who helped you keep going?
Romans 5:3–5 · Hebrews 12:1The Final Word
A SMILE AS BIG AS THE MOON is warm, entertaining, and morally uplifting. Its message about love, family, perseverance, and believing in others makes it a strong choice for older children and adults. WORTH WATCHING.
