- Actors: Krysten Ritter, Laura Prepon, Nick Offerman, Sam Elliot, Katharine Ross
- Director: Brett Haley
- Format: NTSC, Widescreen
- Subtitles: English, Spanish
- Region: Region A/1
- Number of discs: 1
- Rated: R
- Studio: LIONSGATE
- Release Date: September 19, 2017
- Run Time: 93 minutes
The Hero
relies on a series of movie clichés to tell its story, offering up a screenplay
co-written by Marc Basch and director Brett Haley that is only saved from its
own melodrama by the effectiveness its cast. Even the smaller supporting
characters are well cast, but the heart of the film is found in the raw and
heartfelt performance given by Sam Elliott, who proves that he has been given
too few leading roles in his long career. And because nearly every scene of the
film features Elliott, the shortcomings of the screenplay are often overcome by
a character study that never feels less than convincing.
Elliott stars as
Lee Hayden, a Western movie star best known for playing a legendary TV role.
Having spent much of his career struggling to make anything half as good as his
most iconic part, Hayden is defeated by life long before receiving the news
that he has cancer. In a predictable development of events, the news of his
impending mortality causes Hayden to put his priorities in order, though not
before spending a period in denial by turning to excessive drinking and drug
use. Even with his fairly successful career as an actor, Hayden has a great
deal of regrets that must be addressed, with the fractured relationship with
his daughter (Krysten Ritter) at the top of the list.
Had the film
spent a majority of its time on the reconciliation between celebrity and
offspring, I would have been quick to point out the similarities between this
and a number of recent films. Even though music was what gave them their fame,
both Danny Collins and Ricki and the Flash had protagonists
with similar goals. The Hero,
however, pushes this significant storyline to the background for much of the
film. Before he can repair the relationship with his daughter, Hayden must come
to terms with his shortcomings himself, which is what much of the film is spent
on. In order to accomplish this, Hayden addresses his mortality and humanity in
two ways; first he attempts to extend his legacy by making one more great movie
before he passes, and secondly he comes to terms with the fact that he wants to
keep living by starting a relationship with a young woman that makes him feel
alive again.
Introduced by
their mutual drug dealer (Nick Offerman), Hayden meets a young comic named
Charlotte (Laura Prepon) who admits to having a thing for older men. This is
something of an understatement, considering she is barely older than Hayden’s
daughter, but he still finds himself drawn to her. This becomes an inevitable conflict,
because looking forward to a future with someone new gets in the way of
Hayden’s plans to prepare for death. Even though the relationship between
Hayden and Charlotte is never altogether convincing, the conflict that it
causes his character allows for Elliott to wrestle with emotions onscreen that
consistently feel sincere.
The Blu-ray
release comes with a Digital HD copy of the film, as well as a few extras on
the disc itself. The highlight of the special features is a commentary track
with Haley and Elliott, though there is also a photo gallery from the
production.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 8/10
Historical
Significance: 6/10
Special Features: 4.5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment