Hero (Accidental Hero) (1992)

68% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(16,299 ratings)

Stephen Frears' Hero is a contemporary re-working of a Frank Capra-styled fable about a two-bit criminal named Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) who saves several passengers from a plane crash and leaves the scene without being identified, leaving only a lost shoe for identification. One of the passengers… More Stephen Frears' Hero is a contemporary re-working of a Frank Capra-styled fable about a two-bit criminal named Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) who saves several passengers from a plane crash and leaves the scene without being identified, leaving only a lost shoe for identification. One of the passengers happens to be news-reporter Gale (Geena Davis) who is intent on finding her savior, and offers a million dollars to the "hero" of the crashed flight. Bernie has since given his remaining shoe to a homeless man named John (Andy Garcia) who decides to cash in on the offer. A handsome, charming man, John wins the hearts of the entire city. Soon, Bernie realizes that he's been cheated out of a million dollars, and he begins an effort to get his proper recognition--and his money. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Stephen Frears
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 2, 1992 Wide
On DVD: May 25, 1999
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
A mess, though very often an enjoyable one, thanks to the cast.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A misconceived project, inspired by classic Hollywood films of golden age (Nothing Scared, Hail the Conquering Hero) but marred by underdeveloped and rambling script--Stephen Frears first big failure.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Solid performances all-round
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Solid performances mired in excess Capradom
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
hangs its dynamic visual artistry on a compelling story.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Funny and (just about) before its time.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Comes close to working, but finally fails to click
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An engrossing film that challenges us to think about the true meaning of heroism in this age of media-manufactured celebrities.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

It's not the best picture of the director, but Stephen Frears' comedy presents a good concept, just like the screenplay and that make me identify oneself with the character Bernie LaPlante (Dustin Hoffman) in some bad moments. We see that Frears, is trying bring to the… More
It's not the best picture of the director, but Stephen Frears' comedy presents a good concept, just like the screenplay and that make me identify oneself with the character Bernie LaPlante (Dustin Hoffman) in some bad moments. We see that Frears, is trying bring to the contemporary cinema the Frank Capra style, but that don't help very much Hero. Fresh.
Wahida K

We're all heroes if you catch us at the right moment.
Film C

Its an ok movie, pretty enjoyable! Its funny but not what you call laugh out loud funny! I like this movie as it is quite amusing and its a great cast and the storyline is ok but its just a bit predictable and can get annoying in places as its that sort of typical movie where… More
Its an ok movie, pretty enjoyable! Its funny but not what you call laugh out loud funny! I like this movie as it is quite amusing and its a great cast and the storyline is ok but its just a bit predictable and can get annoying in places as its that sort of typical movie where you've cried wolf too many times no one believes you and then everyone and everything is then getting in the way of things, so it can get irritating but apart from that its worth a watch even if you only watch it the once. Dustin Hoffman plays a man who isnt your typical hero and is only concerned about himself but when a plane crashes down in front of him he finds himself becoming an international hero and loved by eeveryone.... the onlky problem is some hobbo has taken the claim for something Hoffman has done! so throughout this movie we find out how hoffman wins his money back and becomes the hero!!
Anthony L

A typical fun comedy from the early 90's. Good fun!
Dean M

This saucy spin on Frank Capra's <i>Meet Joe Doe</i> is an acerbic - and often tremendously funny - indictment of American hero-worship.
Manu G

This is a pretty funny and good movie I must say. Great learning and intriguing. Dustin Hoffman plays a lowlife who happens upon a plane crash and rescues the passengers, but doesn't really care about the value of his deed or the attendant publicity when the media starts… More
This is a pretty funny and good movie I must say. Great learning and intriguing. Dustin Hoffman plays a lowlife who happens upon a plane crash and rescues the passengers, but doesn't really care about the value of his deed or the attendant publicity when the media starts searching for the hero. Another fellow steps into the gap and claims credit, and as his life changes for the better he takes on a messianic glow.
Jason D

An insignificant man becomes a hero, but then another man takes all the credit. This is a very interesting movie.
Candy R

Movie about a man who rescues passengers from a plane.
xGary X

I liked this. Intelligent and thought provoking, Hoffman's almost Ratso like character spotlights the fact that most heroic actions are not performed by noble, square-jawed heroes as in the movies, but ordinary people who just don't turn their back when needed. The satirical… More
I liked this. Intelligent and thought provoking, Hoffman's almost Ratso like character spotlights the fact that most heroic actions are not performed by noble, square-jawed heroes as in the movies, but ordinary people who just don't turn their back when needed. The satirical spin on the story is very clever, the media and public requiring the noble, square-jawed hero in the shape of Andy Garcia to fulfil their own image of what a hero SHOULD be. Geena Davis is rubbish as usual though (onions??)
Juan C

a timidly predictable and tiresome film that without it's moments, it's not that much good without it. D+
Sarah B

Great story, superb performances, even Geena Davis! Garcia and Hoffman are at the top of their games and they are simply mesmerising. This is the sort of film you wish you came up with the idea yourself it's that good.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Dustin Hoffman as Bernie Laplante

            Geena Davis as Gale Gayley

            Andy Garcia as John Bubber

            Joan Cusack as Evelyn

            Kevin J. O'Connor as Chucky

            Maury Chaykin as Winston

            Stephen Tobolowsky as Wallace

            Christian Clemenson as Conklin

            Tom Arnold as Chick

            James Madio as Joey

            Fisher Stevens
            
            John Ackerman as Bag Man

            Daniel Baldwin as Fireman Denton

            Julia Barry as Kelly

            Warren Berlinger as Judge Goines

            Jordan Bond as Richie Fletcher

            Henry Brown as Hospital Guard

            James Callahan as Police Chief

            Katrina Cerio as Makeup Artist

            Milton L. Cobb as Vietnam Vet

            Bobbi Collins as Mendoza

            Kody Cullum as Child in Hospital

            Susie Cusack as Donna O'Day

            Vito D'Ambrosio as Another Wannabee

            Collins Williams Daniels as Rasta Prisoner

            Darryl David as Tough Prisoner

            Sam Derence as Reporter-Channel 8

            William Duff-Griffin as Mr. Brown

            Mandy Duncan as Teen in Hospital

            D'Angelo Ferreri as Child in Hospital

            Raymond Fitzpatrick as 2nd Bailiff

            Tony Fitzpatrick as Fighter Wannabee

            Jeff Garlin as News Vendor

            Don Gazzaniga as Fire Captain

            Marita Geraghty as Joan

            Cordis Heard as Nurse Roberts

            Edward Herrmann
            
            Paul Hewitt as Parker

            I.M. Hobson as Waiter/Captain

            Cady Huffman as Flight Attendant Leslie

            Kevin Jackson as Inspector Dayton

            Leslie Jordan as Court Official

            Dev Kennedy as Tall Wannabee

            Lance Kinsey as Paramedic

            Jeff Klein as Street Kid

            Darrell Larson as Flight Attendant Freddy

            Jay Leggett as Mud Face Wannabee

            Clea Lewis as Sylvia

            Barney Martin
            
            Heidi McNeal as Teenage Girl at Hospital

            C. John Merrill as Street Kid

            Rom Milanovich as Guard at Jail

            John Mohrlein as Fighter Wannabee

            Richard Montoya as Vargas

            D. David Morin as Fireman on Ledge

            Marnie Mosiman as Susan

            Michael Mullen as Child in Hospital

            Terry Muller as Tough Prisoner

            Robert Munns as Doctor

            Gerardo Murillo-Carr as Teen in Hospital

            William Newman as Millionaire

            Harry Northrup as Mr. Fletcher

            Michael O'Dwyer as Cop at Hospital

            Lynn Oddo as Buxom Woman

            Robert Pabst as Vietnam Vet

            Janis Paige
            
            Shirley Pierce as Anchorwoman-Channel 4

            Rick Plastina as Reporter-Channel 13

            Eric Poppick as Mr. Smith

            Richard Riehle as Robinson

            Peggy Roeder as Bag Lady on TV

            Margery Ross as Barbara Bush Look-A-Like

            Ricardo Salinas as Mendoza's Friend

            Ed Scheibner as Donna's Boyfriend

            Martin Schienle as Allen in Coma

            Herbert Siguenza as Espinosa

            Michael Talbott as State Police Officer

            Tamar Teufenkjian as Child in Hospital

            James Alfred Whitaker as Tough Prisoner

            Lee Wilkof as Prosecutor

            Don Yesso as Elliott

            Don S. Davis as Probation Officer

            Don Pugsley as Jury Foreman

            Jose Reyes as Child in Hospital

            Juliet Taylor
            
            Howard Feuer
            
            John M. Watson Sr. as African-American Wannabee

            Steven Elkins as 1st Bailiff

            Dan Healy as George Bush Lookalike

            Chevy Chase
            
See full cast

Hero (Accidental Hero) (1992)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cast

Trailers & Clips