Search - Hero on DVD

We're all heroes if you catch us at the right moment!

Wayne C. Rogers | Las Vegas, Nevada United States | 02/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I suspect that few people have actually seen the movie, Hero, which stars Dustin Hoffman, Geena Davis and Andy Garcia. This remarkable satirical comedy/drama came out in 1992. I remember going to a multi-plex theater on a Saturday afternoon to see one movie, then sneaking in to see Hero afterwards. Don't tell anybody! I didn't know what to expect from this movie, nor did I care. I was simply bored, and I wasn't ready to catch the bus back to my apartment. By the time the film was over, I found myself sitting in the darkness of the theater with tears in my eyes because I'd just seen something very special that had caught me totally off guard. This is perhaps when we have our greatest insights. Let me just also add this for the record so that there's no confusion. Though I found the movie to be extremely funny, all the actors play their roles straight and the humor evolves from their performances in a given situation. So, even from a comedy, great insights can be had.

Bernie LaPlante (played by Dustin Hoffman) is having the worse week of his life. He's lost his job, he's about to be sentenced to prison for dealing in stolen goods, his old beat-up car is on its last leg, and his ex-wife doesn't really want him seeing their ten-year-old son. Things couldn't get any worse for him, could they? Well, on his way over to pick up his son for a movie get together, a jet airliner crashes right in front of him. The passengers in the burning plane are trapped because the door won't open, and they call to Bernie for help. Making his way down an embankment of dirt, Bernie takes off his new shoes and then walks through a stream of water to get to the airplane. He manages to get the door open, but is knocked down into the water and then trampled upon as fifty passengers rush to get out. A little boy from the plane sees Bernie and begs him to get his unconscious father out of the plane before it explodes. Now, Bernie isn't the type of person who would usually stick his neck out to save a stranger, but the little boy reminds him of his own son and he can't say no. Against his better judgment, he enters the plane and ends up literally pulling out three more people who'd been left behind. One of the people happens to be Gale Gayley (played by Geena Davis), who's a cynical television reporter for Channel 4 News. Gale is at a point in her career where she now longs for a story that truly inspires and brings out the nobler side of man. This will turn out to be just such a story. Of course, while saving Gale, Bernie also steals her purse because he's just about out of money. After the plane explodes, he quickly leaves the crash site with only one shoe (he couldn't find the other one) and a car that will barely run. Because he's over three hours late to pick up his son, Bernie's ex-wife basically tells him to take a hike, refusing to listen to his excuses. Then, while hitchhiking home, Bernie's picked up by John Bubber (played by Andy Garcia), a gentle homeless man who lives in his car and recycles cans for a living. Bernie tells Bubber about the plane crash and then gives him his shoe as payment for the ride. The next day Bernie's arrested for trying to sell Gale Gayley's credit cards to some uncover cops. While this is happening, Gale and her TV station are trying to figure out who saved all the passengers on the airplane. A million-dollar reward is offered to get the mysterious hero to come forth. Not really expecting anything but maybe a free meal, John Bubber claims to be the hero. He also has the shoe that matches the other one that was found at the crash site. This is the inspiring story that Gale wanted, but she also finds herself falling in love with the handsome, soft-spoken Bubber. Will the truth of who actually saved the passengers on the plane eventually come out? What happens when Bernie is finally able to confront Bubber about the deception? How will Gale react? Ah, you have to see the film to find out.

It's the end of the movie, however, that really made it for me. There's a scene when John Bubber is asked by Gale during a media interview, "What does it mean to you to be a hero?" John explains that "everybody has something noble inside of them waiting to get out. If you catch them at the right time, you'll see this to be true. At other times, people are less noble and heroic. When the media spotlights one individual over another as a hero, they're simply showing the goodness that's in all of us. In other words, we're all heroes if you catch us at the right moment." I suppose this is popcorn psychology, but it touched something deep inside of me. It made me realize that humanity is capable of such horrific things; yet, it's also capable of such unbelievable beauty and goodness. That little speech helped to renew my faith in our planet.

Along with that, Hero also gives you a satirical look at the news and television reporting. You can't always believe what you see on the news, not if you're smart. The acting is excellent with stellar performances by not only the main cast, but also by Chevy Chase, Tom Arnold, Joan & Susie Cusack, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Kevin J. O'Connor, who played Benny in The Mummy. This is a movie that will not only have you laughing out loud, but will also have you thinking and perhaps seeing the goodness that humanity is capable of when caught at the right moment. As far as extras go, the DVD only has the basics. No featurettes or commentary. Still, this is definitely a movie that's worth owning.
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On My Top 10 List

sally smith | Mustang Ranch, NV | 05/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gotta love poor old Bernie LaPlante..

Funny movie! I love Dustin Hoffman in this role. He is a lying scheming horrible father, low-life, con, that nothing goes right for. But, he's funny and loveable as heck. his views on life, that he wants to teach his son, are a hoot. he is grumpy and self-serving and when the opportunity to be a hero drops in his lap, he begrudgingly helps out, only to see what he can steal in the process.

I love Gena Davis in this movie. she is a star, with grace, beauty, and is just lovely. Andy Garcia is a dreamy cute, soft-spoken bum, that becomes the hero - he's so much better at public relations than poor anti-social Bernie.

The mom and the kid are great, and the judge saying, "in anticipation of incarceration." (you'll know what I mean when you see it!) I can not chop an onion with out thinking of Genna's speech at the media conference.

I keep this DVD on my shelf, and a few VHS copies too, to loan out to friends. As we speak, my Post Office has my video, I loaned to Bob, and he is passing it around. Stinkin funny movie. On my top 10 list.

5 stars, and more. Buy it, see it, love it. You'll root for Bernie like I do. thanks, SS"