The Hero, a 2017 film directed by Brett Haley, is a surprisingly strong, leisurely, contemplative and elegiac film that seems made for, and is made by Sam Elliott. He plays Lee Hayden, an actor in his 70’s, famous for one great Western, also called The Hero, made some 40 years earlier. Hayden now spends his time doing voice over commercials – ah, that Sam Elliott voice – and smoking reefer.
He’s divorced, estranged and somewhat alienated from his 30 year old daughter, Lucy, living an isolated life, and constantly reminded by himself and others of his role as the hero. In short order, he learns he has cancer, and he meets Charlotte, a woman in her late 30’s played by Laura Prepon (with a smile and a sexiness that dazzles). Together, those two events lead him to slowly relearn intimacy, to struggle with trying to rectify his relationship with Lucy, and to make sense and some use of his past fame.
None of this comes easy, and while little is fully resolved at the film’s end, Lee’s struggles with his mortality, with making sense of his life, and with trying to sort out his legacy is extraordinarily well done and powerfully portrayed.
The movie could have been a sentimental tear jerker or a depressing end-of-life reflection – it is neither of these, but rather a powerful, gentle consideration of issues we all do or will face. Well worth seeing – and oh, that voice. It carries us through whatever rough spots the film has. See it.
Thanks for the review and recommendation. Based on your review, we saw the movie yesterday (nice way to stay out of the TX heat on July 4th). Sam Elliott’s performance was outstanding. It was quite pleasant to see a movie in the theater that was a story about people and life with no special effects!
Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed it, and happy these musings have an audience!