The Hero (I) (2017) User Reviews

The moustache that roared.

[js-66130 · 8/10 · 23 June 2017]

Lifetime character actor Sam Elliott was born to play this part, or perhaps this film was written specifically for Sam Elliott. Whatever the case, the big screen's most famous moustache finally lands a career changing role as a septuagenarian.

Once, and only once, Lee Hayden was a big screen cowboy presence. Now, now he gets by with voice overs for barbecue sauce. But oh what a voice. Real life parallels abound: Elliott is best known for small cameos, TV and commercial work, but is still a much loved and recognized celebrity.

As the ticker is about to roll 72, Hayden is given some terminally awful news, giving the ol' coot some pause to ponder a stalled career and failed family life. A December - May romance gets the ball rolling, as our hero sets out to make some amends.

What could have been a terribly sappy piece of fluff, is actually a lovely paced rumination on the very complicated topic of existence, with a wonderful, understated, and vulnerable performance from Elliott: Hollywood's new leading man.

Warning: guns are drawn, and poetry is read.

Sam Elliott delivers the performance of his lifetime

[sergeslevin · 7/10 · 24 January 2017]

I had an opportunity to watch the film during its premiere at Sundance. Beautifully shot: romantic spans of ocean and countryside were breathtaking. Sam Elliott carried the film from the start to the very end. As the director had stated during the Q&A, if Sam refused for whatever reason to do this role, there wouldn't be this film.

Very emotional narrative. Depressing at times, but cathartic overall. It's a slow paced exploration of life, rejection, denial, depression, and ultimately death. The perception of death is a big theme in The Hero. Driven by a power poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay - 'Conscientious Objector': "I shall die, but that is all that I shall do for Death."

Great film for audience that enjoys movies like: "21 Grams", "Manchester by the Sea", and "The Hours".

Watch it for Sam Elliott's performance

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 24 June 2017]

"The Hero" brings the story of Lee. As the movie opens, Lee is voicing his latest commercial for Lone Star BBQ Sauce. "Can you do that one more time", the producer asks again and again. Later on, Lee's agent gives him the good news he's been selected to receive a life time award from the Western Appreciation Guild. But Lee also receives bad news when his doctor tells him he has pancreatic cancer and he must start treatment right away. Deflated, Lee goes to a buddy, who also supplies him with weed and other drugs. By chance, Charlotte stops by at the same time for her own supply of weed. At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest movie from writer-director Brett Haley, who previously brought us "I'll See you In My Dreams". Here Haley reflects on the life if an aging Western actor whose only significant role was in "The Hero", a movie made in the 70s. "I've been busy, not achieving", Lee comments. Haley pays attention to the details, as of course it's the small things in life that make most of our lives. Whether the relationship between the Lee character (in his early 70s) and the Charlotte character (in her late 30s) is believable I will leave to you to decide... The movie is chock-full of top performances, none of which more so than Sam Elliott, who seems to be only getting better as he is getting older. Other noteworthy roles come from Laura Prepon as Charlotte (in a role MILES away from her TV work in That 70s Show and Orange Is the New Black), and also Katharine Ross as Lee's ex (she is Elliott's wife in real life). And if you wonder who Edna St. Vincent Millay is, this movie will explain once and for all...

"The Hero" opened on 2 screens for all of Greater Cincinnati this weekend, and I wouldn't wait to see it. The Friday evening screening where I saw this at was attended very nicely (but not sold out). If you are in the mood for a movie that plays out rather predictably but nevertheless is enjoyable to take in and features a career-best performance from Sam Elliott, "The Hero" is just for you, be it in the theater, on VOD or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray.

life and art

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 17 June 2017]

Greetings again from the darkness. It's considered bad form to gush over a film or actor during a review, but come on it's Sam Elliott, dripping masculinity from his signature mustache - beloved by men and women alike. Writer/director Brett Haley (I'll See You in My Dreams) offers up not just a rare lead role for Mr. Elliott, but also one that seems to closely parallel his actual 45+ year career.

Aging western actor Lee Hayden (Elliott) opens and closes the film in a sound booth, progressively more annoyed at each of the director's requests for just 'one more' take on his voice-over for a BBQ commercial. What happens in between will likely be judged by critics as one cliché after another, but it's also the chance to see an actor north of 70 years old fight through a wide range of emotions and situations, each grounded in struggles many of us will face at some point in our lives.

When the doctor delivers the worst possible news regarding a recent biopsy, Lee has every intention of telling his ex-wife (the rarely seen these days Katharine Ross, Elliott's real life wife of 30+ years) and estranged daughter (Krysten Ritter). Neither attempt goes well, and instead, Lee finds himself on the sofa of child actor-turned-drug dealer Jeremy Frost (an admirable stage name for Nick Offerman's character) toking on a joint and watching classic silent films. In fact, the recurring themes of beach, blunt, bourbon and Buster (Keaton) are there to solidify the notion that Lee is a creature of habit, and it's meeting Jeremy's customer Charlotte (Laura Prepon) that finally jolts him back to life.

Charlotte is a stand-up comedian and would-be poet who has an unusually accelerated attraction to older men. Of course, she can't resist Lee, and a May-December romance develops in his last chance at happiness (cliché number 7 or 8, I lost track). Charlotte accompanies him to an event where an obscure group of western film lovers is presenting Lee with a Lifetime Achievement award, and she also becomes somewhat of a life adviser - counseling him to come clean with his family. To ensure no viewer misses out on the sentimentality, Charlotte recites the poems of Edna St Vincent Millay and reminds us all that buying more time is usually the right call.

As Lee and Jeremy munch on Chinese food after the cloud of smoke has cleared, Lee has a great rebuttal to Jeremy balking at hearing his story: "A movie is someone else's dream." That sentiment is something I try to hold onto whenever reviewing a movie, as it's important to remember that it's the artist (writer, director, actor) who is taking the risk by putting their work on display. It also fits in with the theme here of finding one's place - putting one's legacy in order. Contemplating morality and softening regrets are natural steps to take, and each of us should make it easier for those trying. So, scoff at the sentimentality and clichés if you must, but the messages here are loud and clear and important.

Although I had previously seen him (oh so briefly, accusing Redford of cheating) in Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid (1969), and then again in the late night cult classic Frogs (1972), it was his breakout role in Lifeguard (1976) that made me a Sam Elliott fan for life. Depending on your age, your introduction to his screen presence might have been as Cher's biker boyfriend in Mask (1985), Patrick Swayze's pugilistic partner in Roadhouse (1989), Virgil Earp in Tombstone (1993), the wise stranger at the bowling alley in The Big Lebowski (1998), the Marlboro Man in Thank You for Smoking (2005), delivering a gut-punch as Lily Tomlin's former lover in Grandma (2015), or as Timothy Olyphant's nemesis in "Justified". Elliott is the paradigm for the pregnant pause, and combined with that baritone drawl, ultra cool demeanor, bushy mustache, and head-cocked-at-an-angle glance, he undoubtedly won you over to believe him in whatever role it was because that's how icons become icons.

Paraphrasing a line in the film: the Sam Elliott voice can sell anything - pot, bbq, Dodge, clichéd roles - and I happen to be buying (gushing).

Why Was "The Hero" Released in the Summer??

[TheTruthDoor · 7/10 · 10 July 2017]

"The Hero" is by far Sam Elliot's best acting performance ever. It is heartfelt and real throughout the movie.

The other actors were good and able to keep the movie going throughout.

The plot was also interesting and had a couple of twists that I did not see coming. (Who was hanged? And the painful stand-up comedy routine.)

This is a slow movie with a story. It's not an action thriller so get some popcorn and a drink, sit back, relax and watch it.

My question is the timing of the release. This is an adult, drama and should have been released after school starts. That would put it at the end of the year and closer to Academy Awards time.

I believe Sam Elliot will and should get a nomination for Best Actor.

Quiet & Great

[Tweetienator · 7/10 · 9 September 2017]

A fine little movie with a great cast and a superb tone of melancholy. A little love story, aging, death, loneliness, reconciliation, and the trial about one's life's achievements - The Hero is a quiet movie with all the great themes of human existence. Sam Elliot plays the lead just exquisite and convincing, and the performances of his side-kicks Laura Prepon, Krysten Ritter and Nick Offerman give him a lot to work with and the right canvas for his play. The Hero is an emotional, sad and contemplative movie with some bright spots and fine humor refined with some poetic works by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Alone the reading of the poem Dirge Without Music by Laura Prepon at the end of the movie... A movie for a mature audience.

Sam Elliot and Laura Prepon are splendid but the movie is dull as dirt

[Uberiffic · 14 July 2017]

Yes... SPOILERS.

While the performances were as strong as they seemed in the trailer, the overall film was not what I was expecting. Sam Elliot was very good as an aging Western film star facing his mortality and the results of his "lifetime of achievement." The surprise stand out was Laura Prepon. She added zest and a spark to what was a very dreary and often pointless story. Playing an out of the box and far younger love interest added a much needed and fascinating element.

This movie feels long and plods in a poorly paced manner. Given the performances, you could forgive the dullness had more scenes been profound and moving. Instead, we experience a LOT of wear and tear and a LOT of emotional numbness. The overall story arc really never concludes and much like real life there aren't easy answers. The third act simply ends on a profound poem about life.

Emotional movie with an ending less than desired

[junikrav · 6/10 · 17 July 2021]

Don't worry, I won't spoil the ending, but it was not what I wanted. The movie was packed with emotion. You really had to pay attention so you could get plugged in with the characters. I don't mind that, but the ending....ugh.

One last final look and stare into the sunset of life, while coming to past terms before facing final fate. Plus an all pro performance from Sam Elliott.

[blanbrn · 9/10 · 25 July 2017]

So far for 2017 "The Hero" is the best film that I've seen the story seems real and it's a showcase of past reflection and how one can come to terms with future fate even if it does appear to be tragic. And Sam Elliott gives maybe the best performance of his acting life as Lee Hayden a past his prime and washed up western country film actor who's best days and work is behind him, as now Lee only does voice overs like barbecue radio ads with his gravel deep baritone voice. Still he hopes for a comeback.

Of late Lee's days are full of whiskey drinking and weed smoking and he only has memories of his past glory. And his family life is strained as he's divorced from his wife and wants to reconnect with his stubborn strong headed daughter Lucy(Krsten Ritter). And life has dealt Lee another bad deck keeping him behind the 8 ball as he's just got word of terminal pancreatic cancer.

Lee's only current bright side is his meeting and one night stand with Charlotte(Laura Prepon)a crude and rude stand up comic, and Lee learns that love and relationships is like stormy waters that go up and down. Thru it all Lee is reflecting and coming to terms with the past of memories, old glory, and family and while facing the future fate of one last sunset in front of his California beach home and the rolling waves. Overall very good picture that is a showcase that one only has reflection and memories toward the end proving that coming to terms with the past like family and love is important before one is faced with a future morality. And Sam Elliott is my "Hero" clearly his greatest performance ever.

The Great Sam Elliott delivers the performance of a lifetime

[DeuceWild_77 · 7/10 · 16 September 2017]

If "The Hero" was released before both "The Wrestler" and "Crazy Heart" it could have been more poignant and well-received, but by now, this kind of plot became tired and cliché ridden.

Like Mickey Rourke (not much like Jeff Bridges), the trajectory of the lead character mirrors the real life & career of the great (& criminally underused) character actor, Sam Elliott, one of the last truly manly actors in Hollywood, which offered brilliant turns as the supporting performer in a bunch of well-known & nowadays classic or cult movies such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"; "The Sacketts"; "Mask"; "Road House"; "Rush"; "Tombstone"; "Gettysburg"; "The Big Lebowski"; "We Were Soldiers" among lots of others.

His distinctive rugged cowboy looks, sporting a thick mustache and a peculiar, deep & resonant voice, made him being typecast in the cowboy or biker roles, but his sturdy & masculine presence, sweating charisma, always highlighted him above the main cast (especially as Gar in "Mask" or Wade Garrett, Patrick Swayze's mentor in "Road House"). Here, Sam Elliott had finally the chance to fully embrace a lead character, playing a 'washed-out' western movie star, doing voice-overs to survive while looking for work in a Movie Industry that no longer recognizes him as a bankable actor.

Elliott's understated, but powerful performance of bringing this tragic character to life, was a 'tour de force' delivering & the last 'hurrah" from a purist old cowboy trapped in a modern world he can't (and don't want to) understand.

The movie itself drags on too much for its own good and could have been more meaningful, if a better screenplay was written (or revised), distancing itself a little more from "The Wrestler" stereotype. The supporting players are all there for Elliott, delivering genuine performances from Laura Prepon to Elliott's real life wife and frequent co-star, Katharine Ross ("The Graduate"; "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"; "The Stepford Wives").

A morbid fact is that the pancreatic cancer which the lead character is suffering was the same that, unfortunately, killed Elliott's younger friend and early co-star, Patrick Swayze.

Verdict: Even if it wasn't all that original, it's a movie that deserves to be seen and in a perfect world, Sam Elliott should be nominated for the Best Actor in a Leading Role award, it's one of the best (& committed) performances i've seen this year.

Don't expect much of a story

[BogdanH · 5/10 · 9 September 2017]

If you're younger than, say 40, then you'll find this movie extremely boring. Well, I think it's boring and I'm over 50. To be honest, I would probably stop watching this movie in the middle, if there wouldn't be Sam Elliot. It's his appearance that keep you watching, not the story. The thing is, there isn't much of a story: no "big" questions and no answers... you need to imagine them just by looking at Sam's face expressions. Or maybe even I am too young to understand "the message". About relationships.. there aren't any either. The idea of good looking young woman (Laura Prepon) falling for such old man is kinda unbelievable, so it should be supported by some dialogs -looking into each others eyes just isn't enough in such case.

Btw. Who at IMDb decides about movies genre? Because, if this movie contains any of comedy elements, then I really need to get checked by a shrink.

Courage and Frailty in "The Hero"

[jon.h.ochiai · 8/10 · 14 June 2017]

In "The Hero" Sam Elliott as aging Western star Lee Hayden smokes joints with his buddy and supplier Jeremy, played by funny Nick Offerman, at his Malibu Beach home. Lee sizes up beautiful Goth Charlotte, played by striking Laura Prepon, who waits for her own stash from Jeremy. Charlotte gazes at Lee, "You look sad." Prior to this radio voice over actor Lee, discovers from his doctor that he has late stage pancreatic cancer, he is dying. That eloquent scene elicits the poignancy of Writer and Director Brett Haley's "The Hero". Haley and Marc Basch's screenplay is the uncompromising story of mortality.

"The Hero" is predictable, yet Elliott's authentic bold performance elevates the movie into something special. I saw "The Hero" at a special showing followed by a question and answer session with stars Sam Elliott and Nick Offerman. Sam said that the role was not at all biographical. We all deal with mortality. Sam said he is not the drug head like Lee, and Lee is basically someone who "screws up his own life." However, Director Haley hints that Lee has the possibility of recreating his life. That along with Elliott's fearless performance made me rejoice and respect the movie.

Lee really had screwed up his life. His ex-wife Valerie, played by Elliott's real life wife Katherine Ross, has moved on as a successful art dealer. But initially, he can't tell Valerie that he is dying. His estranged daughter Lucy, played by strong Krysten Ritter, remains distant, but desperately yearns for her Father's love. He has proved the tragic disappointment for her. Lee is attracted to the beguiling and charismatic Charlotte (Prepon), who is little older than Lucy. Charlotte is the aspiring stand up comic, whose mutual magnetism seems genuine. Lee created the mess of his life, and needs to clean it up.

Lee was a big movie star in the 1970's and 1980's. His signature movie was the classic Western "The Hero". His agent calls and tells him that some Western Heritage Film Society wants to honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Being that he does voice-overs for barbecue sauce, he agrees to attend the gala. Possible love interest Charlotte agrees to attend with Lee. Before the awards dinner, Lee and Charlotte get high on Ecstasy. Cowboy charming Lee gives an inspiring acceptance speech about "I'm nothing without you…"

The YouTube video of his speech goes viral, and Lee becomes the Internet sensation. His agent calls him about an audition for part in a big budget sci-fi movie. He runs some cheesy lines with Jeremy practicing for the audition. Jeremy is also the friend, who worked with him in the past. The lines resonate with Lee's soul, reminding of Lucy, his daughter. He says, "I'm here…" Elliott is moving and powerful. "The Hero" transforms in that moment. "The Hero" is a lesson in empathy and compassion. Elliott embodies Lee's humanity, both his courage and his frailty. Yes, "The Hero" is predictable, and so very human.

Lee courageously and clumsily owns the mistakes that he made in his life, and makes amends with the women in his life. His romance with fiery Charlotte is rocky. At one point she betrays him out of her own selfishness. Prepon is the graceful enigma as Charlotte, self-absorbed yet gentle soul-ed. The movie is adamant in portraying their age gap, and imparts touching sweetness. They are sublime as Charlotte reads Lee her favorite poem. Too bad Ross isn't leveraged more here as Valerie. Elliott and Ross have an amazing scene that illuminates their unique affinity.

Haley lyrically captures the calm of the Malibu ocean. Ritter's Lucy says to her Dad, "It's beautiful here." Elliott's Lee looks at his daughter, "Yes, it is." "The Hero" is best in its stillness and humanity. Life is both courage and frailty. "The Hero" arises from this.

Tin-Eared and Boring

[bkrauser-81-311064 · 7/10 · 9 July 2017]

The Hero often times feels like a Pyrrhic Victory - it showcases the luminous humanism and skill of a veteran actor willing to put in the hard work for a small, intimate film, yet the film itself rings so frightfully artificial that it nearly itself ablaze in tin-eared cliché and slow, art-house minutiae. Prediction: The Hero will be nominated for a token "fifth guy" Golden Globe - not because it deserves it, but because it's so coldly calibrated to make hay and celebrate the life of a much beloved character actor who, let's face it, deserves better than this.

Sam Elliott essentially plays himself i.e. an aging formerly famous cowboy actor who keeps busy mostly through voice work and copious amounts of pot. Thus when his doctor diagnosis him with pancreatic cancer, Lee starts to consider his legacy as well as his relatively cold relationships with friends and family. Adding to the mix of moping and melancholy is Charlotte (Prepon) whose younger comedienne takes a shining to the erstwhile cowboy. "You seem sad," she says while waiting for their mutual pot dealer (Offerman). Seems that's all it takes to make a connection.

The movie unfolds more-or-less how you'd expect. The cowboy trudges through his minor commitments, attempts to make amends with his ex-wife (Ross) and daughter (Ritter) while playing the "Big C" close to his chest. Much ado is made about a lifetime achievement award dolled-out by a western preservation society but its narrative importance is drowned out by surreal reoccurring dreams and a series of extreme close-ups.

It all rings less of subtlety and character-driven composure and more like the film is just going through the motions. Sam Elliott simmers with understated intensity but every other character that orbits him are broadly rendered California-types that repeatedly call him "dude" and "man." The script makes little attempt to give its supporting characters inner life, nor does it give any new dimension to the clichés it collects along Elliott's journey of self-discovery. Instead it takes various plot-threads and makes them feel like padding - bland, boring padding.

Other than Sam Elliott's stage presence, the best that can be said about The Hero is at least it's not the similarly themed The Last Word (2017). While matching that film in the level of poignancy or lack thereof, The Hero is as comfortably dressed down as The Last Word was obnoxiously twee. It opts for the level tone of a gracious elegy western - cordial, wistful, remarkably old-fashioned and elusive.

Yet its that elusiveness that slowly drains The Hero of any of its impact. We're never brought into Lee's head space despite ten minute segments of the aged cowboy smoking pot and discussing the metaphorical implications of a desktop iceberg. What's left then is a movie much like its hero - a funhouse mirror version of emotion masquerading as the real thing.

I'll have to up my dose of Prozac after seeing The Hero.

[Unlimitedmovies · 5/10 · 16 July 2017]

My husband and I saw The Hero today but did not read any plot summary before we went. I was excited to look at Sam Elliott for two hours but after the first 30 minutes or so my excitement waned. This is not a movie you want to see if you are having issues with aging or if you are already depressed. There is no closure to this movie. It pulls you along thru emotional tug of wars in Sam's head but you don't get the tying of loose ends at the conclusion of the film that you need. We were just left feeling sad when the credits were rolling. The last time I saw Katherine Ross she was riding on the handlebars with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy. I was shocked that she didn't age well and it was an extra depressing reminder of the passing of time. My husband and I are in our early 60's and we both felt like, "Oh no, is this what we have to look forward to?" This script was obviously written especially for Sam Elliott to score an Oscar nomination and I think he will get one and well deserved. Just don't go to this movie thinking it is entertaining. It is simply depression on celluloid.

moustache love

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 24 July 2018]

Faded Hollywood western star Lee Hayden (Sam Elliott) is sick and getting by with commercial voice-over work. His weed friend Jeremy Frost (Nick Offerman) introduces him to aspiring comedian Charlotte Dylan (Laura Prepon). He is being honored at a banquet for his old movie, The Hero. He is estranged from his daughter Lucy (Krysten Ritter). With no one to invite, he brings along Charlotte. Despite their age difference, they start up a relationship.

Gravitas. That's what Sam Elliott brings to this movie. The plot isn't anything new. It has some slower parts. It is Sam at the heart of this. Initially, I'm leery of this relationship but they do grow on me. That is the way of the moustache. This is not necessarily the best but the moustache love wins this.

Thank You Sam Elliot

[Bryyycers · 7/10 · 12 January 2022]

An incredibly real emotional moving film of our ordinarily extraordinary life. Sam does an incredible job portraying an aging single estranged father and actor living a bachelor life very quiet and alone which gets disrupted by a life-threatening health condition, family confrontation, and a younger spirited woman. A wholesome and soul calming pleasure to watch. Thank You to all involved.

a man trying to get by

[cdcrb · 7/10 · 9 June 2017]

sam Elliott, like "the hero" lee hayden, made one "big" film forty years ago and has spent the rest of the time as a journeyman actor and voice over artist. I don't know the relationship between the writer/director brett haley and mr. Elliott, but this film is definitely based on sam Elliott. that said, the film is a slice of life about an older man trying to get by. he is estranged from his daughter, but seems to have a decent relationship with his ex wife, played by mr. Elliott's real life wife, Katherine ross. the hero meets and begins a relationship with laura prepon, almost,(almost) unrecognizable from her "that 70's show" days. he has a neighbor, nick offerman, who he shares joints with. that's about it. nothing profound, just a good movie. enjoy. by the way, a journeyman actor is a good thing. this movie is full of them.

That's it?

[SamoKu · 8 September 2017]

Always makes me laugh when I see American filmmakers try to make serious movies. By that I don't mean there are no serious American filmmakers. There are, of course there are. But Haley should first try something simpler, an action movie or a thriller, not drama about complicated real life stuff. He's like a child playing at being grown up. A pathetic movie. Not worth even one point.

A 10 for Sam Elliott's performance, but a 7 overall

[2001ASOfan · 7/10 · 2 July 2017]

Decided to see this film solely on what little I'd read about it--that it was one of Sam Elliott's best performances, that it was a quiet character study (I'm drawn to those types of films: as one example "20th Century Women" was my favorite film last year), and also because I like Nick Offerman. I wasn't disappointed, am glad I saw it, but it was, for me, one of the saddest film experiences I've had in some time. By film's end it left me downbeat and depressed. The script did a good job of reminding me just how cruel life can be at times when it comes to unexpected illnesses and trust in others sometimes being rewarded with unthinking breach of that trust at the worst possible time. It drives those points home very effectively, and that was the frame of mind it left me in as I exited the showing. Other aspects of the script, however, were a bit bumpy for me, with plot developments that at times seemed forced and unlikely, but Sam smooths over those jarring bumps and carries the film from start to finish solely on the strength of his acting--and quite possibly on the strength of his voice, which always sounds committed to whatever its saying (something the script uses to bittersweet and also amusing effect for the film's final moment, by the way). I definitely recommend the film to Sam's fans, and to fans of quiet character studies, but I might also recommend scheduling time to see a lively comedy immediately after.

A good film to spend your summer movie going dollars

[ccorral419 · 9/10 · 13 July 2017]

Director Brett Haley once again joins writing forces with Marc Basch (both of "I'll See You in My Dreams" - 2015) to present a LA based story that feels current, plausible and welcoming. Ruggedly handsome and gruff toned Sam Elliott ("Grace and Frankie") is Lee Hayden, an actor past his prime now doing quirky VoiceOvers and smoking pot and drinking with his former actor co-star Jeremy (the always enjoyable Nick Offerman "Parks and Recreation"). When fellow pot-head Charlotte (another TV favorite Laura Prepon "That 70's Show) appears on the scene, her unique love affair with Lee pushes him to face some important life decisions, including his relationship with estranged daughter Lucy (the beautiful Krysten Ritter - TV's "Jessica Jones") and his Ex Valerie (one of my favorites Katharine Ross - "Donnie Darko" - 2001: a film I was also in!). I love when a director welcomes familiar character actors to join a film, and here Doug Cox, Max Gail, Patrika Darbo, Cameron Esposito and Christopher May are a welcomed infusion to the story. "The Hero" is a sound film with good storytelling, presented at a time when summer animation, CGI and explosion films are seeking your movie going dollar.

Sleepy, but OK

[hosenoggin · 6/10 · 28 August 2021]

Very slow, almost sleepy movie. Sam Elliots voice will put you to sleep on its own... however the performances were good considering it was a very sparse script.

Just ride off into the sunset already

[xylem-701-493069 · 2/10 · 4 April 2021]

It seems like everyone who likes this movie just can't get enough of Sam Elliott's melancholy brooding, staring off into space and poignant pauses. Good grief. After 5 minutes that gets old. Sam Elliott has gotten a lot of mileage out of that well worn, old rancher shtick and has made a career of it because of its appeal (as is obvious by the way too high rating here on IMDB), but this movie was just too much of that. In smaller doses, like in the series The Ranch, it was palatable, but for a movie that is built completely around it, it's way overdone. Elliott's acting (playing the dying aging actor Lee Hayden) is ok for doing what he does, but it's actually all he does. He's a personality actor, not a character actor by any stretch, and if you like what he does, I get it, but outside of that the movie was just not good. The plot was totally predictable, there was no chemistry between Elliott and his love interest played by Laura Prepon, the dialogue was forced and not realistic, some scenes were phony and just there to create tension and push the plot forward (the comedy club), his relationship with his estranged daughter was laughable instead of tragic as intended, and the old western movie dream sequences that were thrown in just for cinematic appeal offered no value and were non-sequiturs. His wife (played by his real wife Katharine Ross) and his drug dealer (played by Nick Offerman) were two characters that were in scenes that were somewhat entertaining. But this was a long, slow movie that was really B-O-R-I-N-G, and I'm a fan of slow movies that examine the human condition. But this self-absorbed, one-trick pony, lackluster romance movie is badly written and not very well acted that was difficult to stay engaged with. You just want Lee to ride off into the sunset and get it over with already.

What a beautiful movie.

[stevenaisbitt · 9/10 · 24 February 2019]

Sam Elliott is a Legend. Simple as. This film is a beautiful, poignant touching gem. No spoilers whatsoever here or plot details. I will simply say - do yourself a favor and see it. It is an amazing life-affirming film that makes you look long and hard at your own mortality. It makes you ask the questions : What would I do? How would I react, if I had to face that situation?

Also. We guys should all be so lucky, to look as amazing as Sam at that age. I hope I do.

See 'The Hero.' it is a touching piece of work.

Sam Elliott is the Star

[patricia-haertlein · 6/10 · 2 February 2022]

I've loved Sam Elliott since The Lifeguard and Katharine Ross since The Graduate. You would be hard pressed to find a more lovely couple who have created so many amazing roles and comported themselves so well. Elliott's role was first class, but what killed the good vibe was the Charlotte character. Older people can become invisible to most others, but her character grinding him into the mud for the sake of a crappy comedy gig was gross.

Hero, not really.

[Quietb-1 · 5/10 · 15 June 2017]

Sam Elliott stars as a seventy year plus old actor diagnosed with cancer. His claim to fame was a classic western called "Hero". Now he has to come to terms with his mortality. He also has to reconcile with his daughter and take care of a new young love interest.

Elliott cares this on his back. He is about the only thing that works in the movie. In spite of too many staring into the ocean, or into the canyon scenes he gives a good performance. The dialogue is weak and contrived. In one scene they didn't write it and we watch the scene from out in the street. The dialogue between father and daughter is as weak as the dumb exposition of why they were estranged.

The relationship with the new young girl didn't ring true. Her profession as a stand up comedian was conveniently written to provide a couple of scenes. She sure wasn't funny on stage or around the house.

The best news the movie was over before the lead character. It's a small movie with limited release. No need to see it in a theater. The danger of seeing it in the comfort of your home is falling asleep.