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Hero [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Dustin Hoffman plays a lowlife who happens upon a plane crash and rescues the passengers, but doesn't really care about the value of his deed or the attendant publicity when the media starts searching for the hero. Another fellow (Andy Garcia) steps into the gap and claims credit, and as his life changes for the better he takes on a Messianic glow. Geena Davis is the cynical television reporter who pushes the latter's fame in order to keep her story alive, and this film, directed by Stephen Frears (Prick Up Your Ears), takes a few familiar jabs at a manipulative and voyeuristic press. This is essentially an unofficial remake of Meet John Doe, though it is less dramatic and forceful in the end than Frank Capra's classic. Chevy Chase has an oddly anachronistic part as Davis' editor (maybe he thought he really was in Meet John Doe), but the film belongs to Hoffman, who makes his character a slightly cleaned-up version of the actor's own Ratso Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy. --Tom Keogh
"Pardon The Vulgarity"
Review date: 2008-04-23 Rating: 10 out of 10
The first time I have seen this film was over ten years ago, and recently it been nagging me out of nowhere. I have spent quite some time in getting this film on DVD, which is not available in an open market. Then, yesterday, I finally got a chance to see it once more.
Once again, it did not disappoint me as I really enjoyed watching this movie. It is both humorous and full of good drama. And, I enjoyed the acting on Dustin Hoffman's part as he was delirious, especially his use of "pardon the vulgarity" throughout the movie.
Also from this movie is an insight about the "hero" to which is the famous line as said by John Bubber (played by Andy Garcia): "We're all heroes if you catch us at the right moment." That is true when a certain situation calls for that aspect of ourselves to save others or be of great help to others.
Bernie LaPlante (played by Dustin Hoffman) is a man of low character and a thief and a liar, and when a certain moment came, he took a role of the hero. However, afterwards he did not stick around to claim his reward. Then, John Bubber became a new thief by claiming to be the hero while LaPlante spent time in jail.
I will not go further to spoil it except to say that it's very interesting twists and turns, and fun to watch.
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Reviews
Great plot and well acted out
Review date: 2007-11-04 Rating: 8 out of 10
I planned on watching the first 45 minutes of this as it was late and I was working the next morning, however I ended up sitting through the whole lot. It's a gripping story and has a sub-message about the power of the media and the need for 'heroes' in our psyche.
Dustin Hoffman is excellent at playing his obnoxious character (someone who you definitely wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with) and anyone studying media presentation techniques should watch Andy Garcia's role in this.
Overall, a clever storyline.
Fifteen Minutes of Fame
Review date: 2007-06-23 Rating: 8 out of 10
"Hero" is one of the most infuriating films I have seen in some time. From the very start of the picture, I truly identified with Dustin Hoffman's character, and it's maddening to see him screwed over by over-zealous media, and opportunist John Bubber (Andy Garcia).
The satirical elements of the film are even more true now, fourteen years later, than they were at the time. The tendency of the media to stomp on the outcasts and deify the coveted "15 Minutes of Fame" has only increased. The news coverage is not a camera into the world, it is rose colored glasses, seeing disaster as a breeding ground for heroes, and war as a chance to start again. The film doesn't end with the toppling of the giants... the little man just goes back to the gutter. More importantly, it's a true to life and enlightening view into modern media.
Good film
Review date: 2003-04-03 Rating: 8 out of 10
Enjoyable, easy to watch film about an unlikely hero who rescues people from a plane crash. Both Dustin Hoffman and Andy Garcia are brilliant and as long as you don't mind it being a bit cheesey it's worth a watch!
Dustin at his best
Review date: 2002-01-17 Rating: 8 out of 10
Very few actors can play Idiots or losers like Hoffman does in this movie. He does it with so much grace that you want to adopt him. Maybe not fully intended, but it's a brilliant comedy. Hoffman's indifference while trying to open the door of the plane is, in my opinion, one of the funniest scenes in cinema ever.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Geena Davis
Dustin Hoffman
Andy Garcia
Kevin J. O'Connor
Joan Cusack
Creators:
Dustin Hoffman (Primary Contributor)
Geena Davis (Primary Contributor)
Oliver Stapleton (Cinematographer)
Joseph M. Caracciolo (Producer)
Laura Ziskin (Producer)
Laura Ziskin (Writer)
Sandy Isaac (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Columbia TriStar
Manufacturer: Columbia TriStar
EAN: 9780767821735
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 0767821734
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC,
Release date: 1999-05-25
Universal product code (UPC): 043396515697
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
DVD layers: 1
DVD sides: 1
Picture format: Anamorphic WidescreenPan & Scan
Region code: 1
Running time: 117 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1992-10-02
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Georgian (Subtitled)
Language: Chinese (Subtitled)
Language: Thai (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Dubbed)