When you’re old, you die. When you’re famous, you can still land hot women. Those are two stories to be learned in the excellent drama The Hero, about an ailing actor who ponders life and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter.
Sam Elliott delivers an award-worthy performance as Lee Hayden, a famous actor best known for his role in the western film The Hero. Elliott feels completely natural in the role as he immerses himself in every facet of the character.
Beyond Elliott, director and co-writer Brett Haley (the man behind the very good 2015 drama I’ll See You In My Dreams) offers up a rich and often intoxicating tale that draws you in from the very first second. While the estranged daughter subplot has been told before—in fact, there’s nothing story-wise in The Hero that hasn’t been done before—Haley has nonetheless made one of the best movies of the year so far.
Laura Prepon also gives a fine performance as Hayden’s much younger girlfriend.
The Hero is a profoundly made drama that reminds us just how mesmerizing Sam Elliott can be when he’s on his game.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.