HERO AT LARGE
US, 1980, 93 minutes, Colour.
Treat Williams, Anne Archer, Bert Convy, Kevin Mc Carthy, Kevin Bacon.
Directed by Martin Davidson.
Hero At Large is a pleasantly light film about a would-be actor, his job as impersonating the film hero Captain Avenger (along with 61 others) at local cinemas; He helps out a couple who are being robbed and the myth of Captain Avenger in New York City is born. He goes along with it, is then asked to use it for contrived promotion~-,of the candidate for mayor. It backfires - but the actor gets the opportunity to vindicate himself and his Captain Avenger heroism.
John Ritter is very good in the central role, genial and innocent. A star on television and comic series, he has made few cinema films - They All Laughed and Skin Deep for Blake Edwards, 1989. Anne Archer is the heroine and Bert Convy the conman head of the advertising agency. It came out in the period when the Superman films were very popular.
1. A film about heroes, American heroes? The media, reality? The point being
made about heroism irrespective of Captain Avenger figures?
2. An apologia for American comics, not the characters nor the individuals, but the ideal? Their being able to be manipulated?
3. New York locations, atmosphere heroics? Musical score?
4. Turning down the commercial? The audition for the play and laughing at the love scene? His agent desperate? J. and his meeting her at the letter-box, talking? Friendship? His performance at the theatre, helping the old couple, seeing them interviewed on television? J., going to her work at Sardi's? The bond between the two? Chasing the drug-pedlars, being shot, locked out of his apartment, J. helping? His helping her with rejecting Milo? Falling in love? The promotion agency, the proposal, his interview, decision against, at home, changing his mind? The subway Captain Avenger incident? The special day for the mayor to honour him? Late arrival, his speech, sincerity about justice? The interviewer recognising him and the crowd turning against him? Being battered? Arriving home, J. helping him, going off? The fire, saving the child, being saved? The happy ending? John Ritter nice as an American hero?
5. J, her life and work, the commercials, Milo, helping Steve, falling in love, watching him on television, the happy ending?
6. Milo as boyfriend, his work in commercials, abrupt manner?
7. Walter and his agency, Dave and the 62 Captain Avengers, the political contact, his intuitions, the deal, the day with the mayor, it backfiring and people fighting?
8. Ordinary people and their needs, people in shops, fires? Thugs? The crowds - booing and cheering, the final rescue?
9. Pleasant comic-book style, nice and ideal?
