Eroe per caso

Dustin H is at his brilliant best. Listen carefully to his closing speech to his son(delivered with passion in the zoo). Words of wisdom about the state of the human zoo we live in. The movie has humour, pathos and some great lines. One of my favourites.

I disagree with the suggestion that this movie is fluff; just the opposite. It is truly unexpected. There's no phony character development, no sitcom silliness. What you have here is what I would call TRUE GRIT.  Dustin Hoffman gives one of his all-time best performances. Andy Garcia is equally true to character, and both actors get a chance to portray genuinely interesting characters. Yet, the ending could not be more perfect. Likewise, I'd argue that this movie does have social commentary. You'll see Chevy Chase at his best (although he doesn't appear in the credits). He illustrates the unholy alliance between news and show business in today's America. There's a great father-and-son story and an implied love story with Joan Cusack, someone who is underrated for her emotional expression. There's also a nice examination of truth and reality. Watch they boy from the plane. He can't remember what the hero said, so he is proud and excited to come up with what he thinks will sound good. Likewise, the hero's son finds the perfect answer to an awkward question for the news camera. We're all searching for that perfect answer if a news mike is stuck in our face. The hero sees this, and he is the only one in the movie who seems immune to it. He is my hero for remaining true to himself--as flawed as that is. No, this ain't Disney--it's Dustin, at his finest.

I saw "Hero" when it first opened in theaters, and tonight was the first time I saw it in 10 years. It's one of those amiable films that is virtually impossible to dislike. It's not the funniest comedy, nor are there any "big" laughs, yet I can't find anything lousy about this movie. And as a big plus, Dustin Hoffman is the star! He's one of my favorite actors, and I'm eager to see him in anything. He gives a fine, underrated performance that's both funny and touching, in an unpretentious way. His character of Bernie Laplante is no angel. He's rude, cranky and selfish. But he loves his son very much, and simply has trouble expressing his true emotions. It's always fun to see a serious actor in a comic role. And the advantage of it is serious actors approach comic roles in the same way they do any other roles. Like Gene Wilder said, "I approach the role of Leo Bloom in 'The Producers' the same way Olivier would approach 'Hamlet.'" Hoffman doesn't act goofy or ham it up, but simply plays it straight and lets the laughs come to him with his natural delivery. Andy Garcia delivers an endearing performance, and Joan Cusack is amusing as Hoffman's ex-wife. The plot is predictable and some of the characters are cliched, but overall the film is entertaining and at times moving. Though it is basically a comedy, it has its human elements that add an earthy quality to the film.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

I felt not only well entertained by this film, it also reinforced my disdain towards the way media makes heroes out of people with media flair, instead of the people who really deserve it. As Bubber, the imposter, played in the film by Garcia so emphatically puts it: "We're all heroes if you catch us at the right moment". The falseness of this otherwise bold and inspiring message brings out a seldom heard truth about the way lies have sold so well in this century. And how most people are willing to sell their souls for the supposed joy of being a celebrity.

The similarity with the fabulous "Fearless" (starring Jeff Bridges) is striking, in spite of the completely different realization and overall mood of the film.

This was one of my favorite movies. Its basic message is that no one is either 100% good or 100% sleazy, as Hoffman and Garcia's characters show. Hoffman plays a two-bit thief who rescues a bunch of people from a downed airplane (including news reporter Geena Davis), and Garcia, a seemingly noble Vietnam vet, winds up taking credit for it.

Basically, the movie shows the dangers of our need for a hero and the media's glorifying of such a need. I liked this movie a lot.

*** out of ****