The Hero

R

Released Jun 9, 2017

1 hr. 36 min.

Drama

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List

77%

115 Reviews

Tomatometer

59%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Lee Hayden is a Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy, until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte, and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy, all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.

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Premiered Mar 07

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Critics Consensus

The Hero rests on Sam Elliott's understated performance, which proves more than capable of carrying the film through the less inspired moments of its somewhat clichéd story.

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Georgan G

Sam Elliott makes this movie. There are some thought provoking scenes. But it's mostly about how the end of life puts life into perspective.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Gayle F

I loved Sam Elliott in this role - very touching.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/29/23

Full Review

r j

Underrated performance by Sam Elliott and Laura Prepon, really a sweet and touching movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Erwin S

Great movie! Inspiring. As usual, awesome performance!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/22

Full Review

w r

This dog don't hunt. It started slow and stopped after 5 minutes but kept filming for years, at least it seemed like it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Mark H

This is 5-star ranked, but only for those who have the "lifetime achievement" of being at or over 65 years-old. Everyone else...will just have to wait...and see if they make it there.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/12/22

Full Review

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Brett Haley

Director

Sam Elliott

Lee Hayden

Laura Prepon

Charlotte Dylan

Nick Offerman

Jeremy Frost

Krysten Ritter

Lucy Hayden

Katharine Ross

Valarie Hayden

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The Hero: Trailer 1

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Quiet, personal and refreshingly introspective.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 30, 2017

Full Review

Calvin Wilson

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It's one of his finest and most memorable performances. Unfortunately, the script fails to rise to the level of Elliott's artistry.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 29, 2017

Full Review

Johanna Schneller

Globe and Mail

Two good things are not enough to goose this all-too-familiar tale of a selfish man who wakes up one day, realizes that he blew it and scrambles to fix it before it's too late.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 23, 2017

Full Review

Ian Brill

Battleship Pretension

While the film is a journeyman effort, The Hero's love for Elliott shines through in every scene. If you want to see an oft-supporting player get his due, this is the film.

Apr 13, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Sam Elliott is in almost every frame, bringing an easy charm that solidifies his leading man status while smoothing over the film's rough patches.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 1, 2021

Full Review

Leigh Monson

Substream Magazine

The Hero is about as good as these stories get without someone masterfully inventive behind the camera, and it doesn't aim much higher than merely being effective.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 24, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Lee Hayden is a Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy, until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte, and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy, all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.

Director: Brett Haley
Executive Producer: Jeff Schlossman, Bill Wallwork, David Bunce, Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Lance Acord, Theodora Dunlap, Franklin Carson, Danny Rifkin, Frank Brenner
Screenwriter: Brett Haley, Marc Basch
Distributor: The Orchard
Production Co: Northern Lights Films, Houston King, Park Pictures
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 12, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.1M

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