Hero (1992)

A not-so-nice man rescues passengers from a crashed airliner, only to see someone else take credit.

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

Laura Ziskin (story), Alvin Sargent (story)

Stars:

Dustin Hoffman, Geena Davis, Andy Garcia

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dustin Hoffman	...	Bernie LaPlante
Geena Davis	...	Gale Gayley
Andy Garcia	...	John Bubber
Joan Cusack	...	Evelyn
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Chucky
Maury Chaykin	...	Winston
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Wallace
Christian Clemenson	...	Conklin
Tom Arnold	...	Chick
Warren Berlinger	...	Judge Goines
Cady Huffman	...	Flight Attendant Leslie
Susie Cusack	...	Donna O'Day
James Madio	...	Joey
Richard Riehle	...	Robinson
Daniel Baldwin	...	Fireman Denton (as Daniel Leroy Baldwin)

Storyline

Bernie LaPlante is having a rough time. He's divorced, his ex-wife hates him, and has custody of their son. The cops are setting a trap for him, then to top it all, he loses a shoe while rescuing passengers of a plane crash. Being a thief who is down on his luck, he takes advantage of the rescue, but then someone else claims credit for it.

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Plot Keywords:

unlikely hero | reluctant hero | stealing credit | firefighter | bartender | 

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Taglines:

We're all heroes if you catch us at the right moment. Even Bernie LaPlante.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for uses of strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hero and a Half

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$42,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,210,875, 4 October 1992, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$19,507,345

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$66,807,345

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chevy Chase and Geena Davis appeared in Fletch (1985).

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Goofs

When Bernie and John are driving in stop and go traffic the car they are in doesn't move. All the cars around it inch up and move in reverse through the entire conversation.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Judge Goines: Mr. foreman, have you arrived at a verdict?

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to the people of Piru and Filmore, California; the people of Cook County, Illinois.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Fear of Flying (1994)

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Soundtracks

The Marine's Hymn
(©1919) (uncredited)
Music based on a melody by Jacques Offenbach from his opera "Genevieve de Brabant" (1859)
Played by a band outside the children's hospital

User Reviews

Uniquely Rewarding

I disagree with the suggestion that this movie is fluff; just the opposite. It is truly unexpected. There's no phony character development, no sitcom silliness. What you have here is what I would call TRUE GRIT.  Dustin Hoffman gives one of his all-time best performances. Andy Garcia is equally true to character, and both actors get a chance to portray genuinely interesting characters. Yet, the ending could not be more perfect. Likewise, I'd argue that this movie does have social commentary. You'll see Chevy Chase at his best (although he doesn't appear in the credits). He illustrates the unholy alliance between news and show business in today's America. There's a great father-and-son story and an implied love story with Joan Cusack, someone who is underrated for her emotional expression. There's also a nice examination of truth and reality. Watch they boy from the plane. He can't remember what the hero said, so he is proud and excited to come up with what he thinks will sound good. Likewise, the hero's son finds the perfect answer to an awkward question for the news camera. We're all searching for that perfect answer if a news mike is stuck in our face. The hero sees this, and he is the only one in the movie who seems immune to it. He is my hero for remaining true to himself--as flawed as that is. No, this ain't Disney--it's Dustin, at his finest.