Hero

Bernie Laplante is a down on his luck thief whose life has gone off the rails. Divorced, estranged from his son, and dogged by a looming police sting, he hopes a big score will fix everything. When a passenger jet crashes, Bernie wades into the chaos with a mix of bravado and luck, risking his own safety to help others, and he even manages to rescue several passengers before a crucial moment costs him a shoe. The scene is chaotic and funny, yet the stakes are real as witnesses and the press look on. Complications arrive when another person surfaces claiming to have led the rescue, throwing Bernie into a tangle of credit and consequences. The movie threads humor with a stark portrait of stubborn pride and the way luck can mislead.

Directed by Stephen Frears; the screenplay is by David Webb Peoples, Alvin Sargent, and Laura Ziskin from an original concept. Hero hit screens in 1992, pairing Hoffman and Davis in a sharp look at publicity, fame, and the fragile line between help and hype.

Critics welcomed the film's blend of comedy and moral inquiry, noting the way it balances wit with genuine emotion. It probes how crowds crave heroes, how media spin can shape a life, and how personal choices collide with public narratives. The Hoffman Davis pairing remains central.

Geena Davis's Gale Gayley embodies a shrewd PR mind guiding the coverage while Bernie tries to stay visible without losing himself. The film's title invites talk about authentic courage in a media driven age and the price of praise that follows a televised rescue.

Awards: While the film drew attention for its performances, it did not secure major nominations at the Academy Awards or other top ceremonies. Still, critics praised the tonal balance and the way the screenplay threads satire with human vulnerability.