Also known as ‘Hero’, this film from 1992 did not do very well at the box office, despite the cast being headed up by Dustin Hoffman, Geena Davis and Andy Garcia. Still, it’s a lovely movie and if you get a chance to see it, I would definitely suggest that you do so.
Dustin Hoffman is Bernie LaPlante, a small-time crook, who saves the passengers of plane which has crashed. However, when a monetary reward is offered for the ‘Angel of Flight 104’, homeless drifter Andy Garcia steps up to take the credit…
This is a thoroughly enjoyable film from start to finish. It’s funny, yet very touching in places. Dustin Hoffman once again proves his immeasurable talent as LaPlante, a character who in the hands of a lesser actor, could be completely unlikeable. Hoffman however, manages to make the audience like LaPlante, despite his selfishness and despite his criminal tendencies. Andy Garcia also shines as John Bubber, who it’s impossible not to feel warmth towards, even when he is taking credit that he knows he does not deserve. Geena Davis rounds out the main cast, as a newsreader who is searching for story with meaning, that doesn’t revolve around gossip, and when she survives Flight 104, she thinks she might have found that story.
All in all then, this is a great comedy drama, with a real message at the heart of it’s story. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Year of release: 1992
Director: Stephen Frears
Producers: Joseph M. Caracciolo, Laura Ziskin, Sandy Isaac
Writers: Laura Ziskin, Alvin Sargent, David Webb Peoples
Main cast: Dustin Hoffman, Andy Garcia, Geena Davis, Chevy Chase, Joan Cusack
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