Some Kind of Hero (1982)

A Vietnam vet returns home from a prisoner of war camp and is greeted as a hero, but is quickly forgotten and soon discovers how tough survival is in his own country.

Director:

Michael Pressman

Writers:

Robert Boris, James Kirkwood Jr. (novel)

Stars:

Richard Pryor, Margot Kidder, Ray Sharkey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Pryor	...	Eddie Keller
Margot Kidder	...	Toni
Ray Sharkey	...	Vinnie
Ronny Cox	...	Colonel Powers
Lynne Moody	...	Lisa
Olivia Cole	...	Jesse
Paul Benjamin	...	Leon
David Adams	...	The Kid
Martin Azarow	...	Tank
Shelly Batt	...	Olivia
Susan Berlin	...	Jeanette
Mary Betten	...	Lady Teller
Herbie Braha	...	Honcho #2 (as Herb Braha)
Anthony Charnota	...	Base Commander (as Anthony R. Charnota)
Matt Clark	...	Mickey

Storyline

A Vietnam vet returns home from a prisoner of war camp and is greeted as a hero, but is quickly forgotten and soon discovers how tough survival is in his own country.

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Plot Keywords:

prisoner of war camp | hero | prisoner of war | death | grieving | 

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Taglines:

The Army is doing it to him in the daytime. His wife isn't doing it to him at night. And his girlfriend charges him by the hour. Richard Pryor keeps getting caught with his pants down.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 April 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apuros e Trapalhadas de um Herói

Filming Locations:

Indian Dunes, Ventura County, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$5,631,293 (USA) (2 April 1982)

Gross:

$20,400,486 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Pryer is 2 years older than Olivia Cole, who played his Mother.

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

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Soundtracks

Moon River
Music by Henry Mancini
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer

User Reviews

One of Pryor's more thoughtful performances...but a good central idea is diffused by too many targets

After five years as a Prisoner of War in Hanoi, Army Corporal Richard Pryor is rescued and returns to the States a hero (he makes the evening news after a journalist suggests he bend and kiss the ground). Still, heroes don't linger long in a busy world, and soon Pryor is fighting for his self-worth after the government turns their back on him and his wife admits she's moved on with her life. Serio-comic adaptation of James Kirkwood Jr.'s novel by Kirkwood and Robert Boris makes an uneasy vehicle for the star, who is encouraged to go deeper as an actor yet still retain his naughty persona and signature foul mouth. The character's imprisonment under the Vietcong takes up thirty minutes of screen-time (far too long), while the limply dramatic stuff with the unfaithful Mrs. chews up another ten. Pryor has some strong scenes here and there, but he's relying on externals to get him through. He allows himself to be vulnerable and loving, and this works up to a point, yet the feel-good ending is a cheat (larceny cures all!) and a romance with Beverly Hills hooker Margot Kidder (who appears to have no other clients) is rather unlikely. ** from ****