The man with the golden voice The Hero (M)
97mins ★★★★
‘‘Lone Star barbecue sauce – the perfect partner for your chicken.’’ Lee Hayden’s (Sam Elliot) film and television jobs have dried up, but his honeyed gravel tones are still in demand by advertisers.
The now 71-year-old only made one film he’s proud of 40 years ago and ‘‘since then I’ve stayed busy’’. But he’s beginning to wonder about his legacy. He has pancreatic cancer and a call from his agent only yields a lifetime achievement award offer from a guild he’s never heard of. Still, he’s keen to attend, and after a visit to his old Cattle Drive co-star Jeremy Frost’s (Nick Offerman) place, he’s feeling a little melancholy.
Whether that’s the weed or meeting fellow partaker Charlotte (Laura Prepon) he’s not entirely sure. But when they bump into each other again at a local taco truck, Lee invites her as his date to his awards ceremony. There, Charlotte spikes his drink and Lee’s subsequent foggy recollection involves something about handing the gong over to his ‘‘biggest fan’’. Fortunately, someone has been kind enough to capture proceedings and share it with the world.
‘‘You’re trending on Twitter – you went viral, dude,’’ Charlotte enthuses, as Lee suddenly finds himself in demand again.
Brett Haley (who also directs) and Marc Basch’s screenplay provides a perfect showcase for the easy, laconic charms of Elliott (whose 50-year career spans Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Ghost Rider).
A far gentler character than what we’re used to seeing Elliot play, he shines as Lee lights up in the presence of the sparky Charlotte.
The Hero is a terrific piece of counter-programming for those who prefer their long summer evenings blockbuster-free. – Sarah Watt