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Defendor: héros ou zéro

Original title: Defendor
  • 2009
  • R
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
38K
YOUR RATING
Woody Harrelson in Defendor: héros ou zéro (2009)
A comedy centered around three characters: an everyday guy who comes to believe he's a superhero, his psychiatrist, and the teenager he befriends.
Play trailer2:03
3 Videos
66 Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama

Arthur Poppington, a regular man who adopts a superhero persona, known as "Defendor", combs the city streets at night, in search of his archenemy, Captain Industry.Arthur Poppington, a regular man who adopts a superhero persona, known as "Defendor", combs the city streets at night, in search of his archenemy, Captain Industry.Arthur Poppington, a regular man who adopts a superhero persona, known as "Defendor", combs the city streets at night, in search of his archenemy, Captain Industry.

  • Director
    • Peter Stebbings
  • Writer
    • Peter Stebbings
  • Stars
    • Woody Harrelson
    • Kat Dennings
    • Sandra Oh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Stebbings
    • Writer
      • Peter Stebbings
    • Stars
      • Woody Harrelson
      • Kat Dennings
      • Sandra Oh
    • 121User reviews
    • 60Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 7 nominations total

    Videos3

    Defendor: U.S. Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Defendor: U.S. Trailer
    Defendor
    Trailer 2:04
    Defendor
    Defendor
    Trailer 2:04
    Defendor
    Defendor
    Trailer 2:04
    Defendor

    Photos66

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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Woody Harrelson
    Woody Harrelson
    • Arthur Poppington aka Defendor
    Kat Dennings
    Kat Dennings
    • Kat Debrofkowitz
    Sandra Oh
    Sandra Oh
    • Dr. Ellen Park
    Elias Koteas
    Elias Koteas
    • Chuck Dooney
    Michael Kelly
    Michael Kelly
    • Paul Carter
    Clark Johnson
    Clark Johnson
    • Captain Roger Fairbanks
    Lisa Ray
    Lisa Ray
    • Dominique Ball
    A.C. Peterson
    A.C. Peterson
    • Radovan Kristic
    Kristin Booth
    Kristin Booth
    • Wendy Carter
    • (as Kristen Booth)
    Charlotte Sullivan
    Charlotte Sullivan
    • Fay
    Tony Nappo
    Tony Nappo
    • Biker Cliff
    Ron White
    Ron White
    • Judge Wilson
    David Gardner
    • Grandpa Henry
    Bryan Renfro
    Bryan Renfro
    • Mr. Debrofkowitz
    Max Dreesen
    • Young Arthur
    Matt Gordon
    Matt Gordon
    • Jerry
    James Preston Rogers
    James Preston Rogers
    • Biker Bob
    Graham Abbey
    Graham Abbey
    • Constable Mike
    • Director
      • Peter Stebbings
    • Writer
      • Peter Stebbings
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews121

    6.737.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7joris-nightwalker

    The mentally ill are the sane

    A superhero movie is best when it subverts the genre itself, like in Chronicle or Birdman. Defendor does just that. What happens when someone with a vulnerable mental state claims to be a superhero, fighting Captain Industry? They are looked down upon. They are seen as harmless and pitiful. Until they start to take action. Then they need to be contained and get psychological help. This movie tries to shine a light - through the psychologist - on that vulnerability and shows us there's something noble, even something pure in people who (try to) fight injustice. Woody Harrelson is in top form playing the protagonist Arthur aka. Defendor. His quest to defeat Captain Industry is a sobering and fruitless one, but the public begins to care for him. Maybe just because of Athur's general naivety. A graffiti artist paints a wall with his portrait, calling out to "fight back". That's what this movie was about for me. Fight back. Fight the self-righteous world who divide 'normal' people from those whore aren't according to some arbitrary measurement. Defendor is a warm eulogy for those defying normality and a subtle criticism on what is perceived as sane.
    6lewiskendell

    A different kind of superhero.

    Defendor is the story of a simple, deluded, child-like man, who thinks he's a super-hero. In all likelihood, he should have died a swift and brutal death no later than ten minutes in, but it seems that God watches out for the simple-minded, even in movies. Somehow, Defendor even ends up bumbling his way into doing some good.

    Woody Harrelson portrayed Arthur in a way that completely avoided mocking him. Imagine Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. Arthur has definite reasons for his quest and his actions, and as those reasons are revealed during the movie, you become more and more attached to his character. Kat Dennings plays a young prostitute who befriends Arthur and is instrumental in helping him to his final destiny, and Sandra Oh stars as a psychiatrist who learns about Arthur along with the audience.  No one is responsible for the acting burden that Harrelson has, but their performances are still solid. 

    I liked this movie a good bit. It was funny in some parts, and sad in others. We really don't get to spend enough time with Arthur/Defendor and his world, but what's here is pretty satisfying.
    7sergelamarche

    Great film!

    The story really works and the actors are doing it justice. Low budget canadian film that goes a long way. Amusing drama like in real life. Murderous criminals like in real life. Some minor flaws due to budget.
    7stefan-humphrey

    Defendor: Not what you're expecting

    While at first I thought it was a comedy, I was soon proved wrong. I like Woody Harrelson for his comedic value, this pushed his acting skills in a newer direction. While still maintaining a comedic overtone it settled into a serious note that is very seldom seen in most newer movies. It's not big on special effects or huge explosions, but the movie its self makes up for all that for being big on heart and able to touch feelings that haven't been touched in a while.All in all I'd say Woody Harrleson doesn't deserve an Oscar for his performance(while it was quite memorable), the movie does deserve an honorable mention at as many award shows as possible!
    7Muttines

    A Don Quixote for our times

    This was a rather enjoyable and strangely touching action caper, with moments of genuine depth and truth.

    Woody Harrelson proves once again that he's an incredibly versatile and emotionally astute actor, with an arresting performance that carries the story along with remarkable zeal and fun. And while the plot and direction skirt close to sentimentalism towards the end, Harrelson executes the last few scenes in a manner so as not to spoil the quirky edge of the film.

    Another angle that I found particularly enjoyable were the deferred references to Don Quixote - if you've read Cervantes's hilarious Rennaissance series you'll no doubt notice uncanny similarities that suggest homage: In lieu of the outlandish chivalric tales that madden Don Quixote and compel him to forge his own suit of armour and 'sally forth' into the wilds of quiet old La Mancha, we have 'Defendor', who similarly loses what few wits he has to begin with by obsessively reading comic books and deciding to become a superhero in an anonymous post-industrial slum. Sancho Panza is replaced by a saner but similarly pliant crack-addict, Kat, and Rosindante is supplanted by his 'defendog' mobile.

    There are other similarities the movie has with D. Quixote, but to mention those would give the game away. It will suffice to say, however, that the film is quite highly recommended by this viewer, if not just for the joy of seeing Don Quixote once again take to the streets in all his glory.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Peter Stebbings' screenwriting and directorial debut.
    • Goofs
      Arthur makes a big deal about being called "DefenDOR", yet when he's talking with Kat, he calls himself "Defender".
    • Quotes

      Defendor: If you break the law, you're a punk. If you break the law with a badge, you're a punk with a badge.

    • Connections
      Featured in Starfilm (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      One Track Mind
      Written by Classified (as Luke Boyd) and Joel Plaskett

      Performed by Classified ft. Joel Plaskett

      Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.

      Published by Classified (as Luke Boyd) (SOCAN), Songs For The Gang Inc. (SOCAN)

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    FAQ

    • How long is Defendor?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 13, 2010 (Brazil)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Defendor
    • Filming locations
      • Dundas, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Insight Film Releasing
      • Alliance
      • Darius Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $44,462
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $13,265
      • Feb 21, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $44,462
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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