Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Humbersi The first must-see film of the year.

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

lavatch This film was a lovely tribute to veteran actor Sam Elliott. The screenplay provide a thoughtful overview of his career and even offered insights into the nature of heroism. The overall concept of Sam Elliott playing the aging actor in Westerns Lee Hayden, but really playing himself, was a smooth and polished achievement.There was a creative approach to the scripting with snappy lines of dialogue. The metaphor of "one ounce of the devil's lettuce" was a great description of marijuana. There was also an imaginative description of a fictional television series called "Cattle Drive," with Lee's sidekick, who was at one point written out of script, but is now Lee's best friend.Another nice touch was in the character of Charlotte, the young woman who becomes Lee's girlfriend. Their banter was snappy, and she provided him with great support in quoting her favorite poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay. Millay was responsible for coining the phrase, "burning a candle at both ends." And the lengthy citation from her poem "Dirge Without Music," including such phrases as "time out of mind" and "I am not resigned," were inspirational.There were several odd choices in the film, including Charlotte's insensitive stand-up routine that poked fun at Lee. This monologue seemed completely out of character for Charlotte. Also, the failed audition of Lee seemed difficult to believe, especially after Lee had performed it so effectively for his actor friend. Additionally, the character of Lee's daughter was not very credible, due to her callous nature. When she finally came shell, it was far too late in the film to be effective.For those viewers who are able to locate a DVD copy of the the film, there is commentary track with both director Brett Haley and the star Sam Elliott. At one point, Elliott volunteered that he is often approached by fans who ask him to record a voice message on their phones. There is no doubt that the voice of Sam Elliott is his most distinctive trait as a performer.The highlight of the film was Lee's "acceptance speech" for a lifetime achievement award. In the speech, he acknowledged an ordinary fan for her quiet heroism. The speech was moving and resonated with great sincerity. Thoreau wrote that people lead "lives of quiet desperation." But they also lead lives of quiet heroism that are often overlooked. The film offered a warm message about how in, the words of Lee Haden, "we're all just grains of sand," but ones that can leave an eternal imprint.

Mark Turner How can anyone not like Sam Elliott? Looking back at the films he's done (forget about TV series there are too many to list) and remembering him in movies like FROGS, THE SHADOW RIDERS, MASK, ROADHOUSE, PRANCER, TOMBSTONE, THE BIG LEBOWSKI and more I kept thinking what an amazing career the man has had. In addition to that he's been with the love of his life, Katherine Ross, for 39 years now, ever since they met on the film THE LEGACY. Known for his good looks, wiry frame and classic moustache he's never won an Oscar but that's never stopped him from giving great performances.THE HERO may be his best yet and if it isn't nominated for an Oscar I'll be disappointed. Elliott stars as Lee Hayden, a character actor at the end of his game, hitting 70 years of age, relegated to voice overs in commercials and known mostly for a TV western he made decades ago called THE HERO. He now spends most of his time sitting and watching old movies with his friend and dealer Jeremy (Nick Offerman) while they get stoned. Divorced, distant from his daughter and beaten by Hollywood that's all about to change.To begin with Lee has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Bad news but then he meets Charlotte Dylan (Laura Prepon) at Jeremy's house and the two hit it off. When he learns he is being presented with a lifetime achievement award, he invites Charlotte to be his guest when his daughter turns him down. A little stoned at the award he gives his acceptance speech, stating that he is not the only hero there, that all of them are heroes in their own way. An online video of the speech makes him a viral sensation and suddenly offers come his way.But how does one deal with sudden fame thrust upon them at age 70? Lee has no clue what going viral means even but Charlotte helps him through it. A moment with Charlotte on stage makes him face the reality of where he is in life right now at this moment. With so many bridges burned in his past, will he be able to make up for lost time? And will he have the time to do so? The story may seem simple and in truth it is, but it's a center post on which to layer the meat of the movie. That is the performance by first off Elliott and then by his co-stars. This role was written with Elliott in mind and it's not a dissection of his own life as he grows older but gives a picture of what most actors reaching this age go through. No one hires you but people still remember your face, at least the older ones do.Offerman has been mostly associated with the comedy series PARKS AND RECREATION but he's displayed some acting chops in movies lately that will change that forever. Prepon has left behind the girl next door so many recall her as in the series THAT 70'S SHOW and grown into a mature actress with more depth than that series prepared us for. Why she's not getting more noticeable roles is beyond me. The May-December romance between her and Elliott allows her room to show what she can do and she does it well.The movie never received a wide release when it came to theaters and I think locally it played at a Cinema Center rather than the usual theater. That's sad. With so many bad movies hitting the screens (and more often than not several at the same time in a multiplex) you would think a public looking for options would have enjoyed discovering this one. Thankfully that will happen with its release on DVD.This movie will not only make you recall all of those wonderful Sam Elliott films of the past and have you running for your collection to watch them all again, it will make you think back to other stars who have gone the route of Lee in this film but in real life. Consider stars not too much from the distant past who seem to have disappeared, receive little credit or who are forgotten. Is it too much to take a moment and remember the enjoyment they provided for us all? Elliott is one of those, who fortunately never left us to retire. Would that more stars had that opportunity as well. Perhaps this movie will provide the impetus for that to happen.

namashi_1 Some Actors are so talented, that they just suck you into their world. Be it pain, happiness, sorrow or any emotion that one can emote, they just make you feel whats happening to them. Its eerily real. And Sam Elliott is among those blessed talents. Have any doubts? Watch 'The Hero'. Simple.In this predicable story of an aged man looking back at his mistakes & achievements before giving his final goodbye, Elliott transforms as Lee Hayden, a yesteryear movie star, now ailing, who must come in terms with morality & the passage of time. All his mistakes, his relationships, his career highlights to his life as a whole, Elliott's Lee Hayden gives it a final look back & tries to mend of the things, he ruined for his own reasons. Lee tries to back at what he lost, beginning with his ex-wife (Katharine Ross, in great form) & daughter (Krysten Ritter, so good it hurts), as well as realizing that his career as a movie star is now coming to an end. What he gains, however in this journey, is a friend who smokes up weed (Nick Offerman, flawless) & a younger women who indulges with Lee with passion & maturity (Laura Prepon, sexy & natural). But with illness not refusing to leave, Lee must make the most of the time he has left.Marc Basch & Brett Haley's Screenplay is predictable & one might get glimpses of The Wrestler or Crazy Heart, and yet its engaging & moving. Though a tighter second-hour would've done wonders, the Writing luckily never goes off track. It remains a story on life & mortality & offers moments of genuine heartache. Brett Haley's Direction is subtle, but effective. Cinematography & Editing are well-done. And at the center of 'The Hero' is Sam Elliott. The Legendary Actor delivers a knockout performance that is sure to leave you in awe. He sinks his teeth into the part & brings it out with flying colors. Oscar Attention would truly be the best justification of his portrayal.On the whole, 'The Hero' reminds us what a volcano of talent Sam Elliott still is. Watch it for him. You'll be rewarded.

DeuceWild_77 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.