Courtesy: Reel Honest Reviews

By: Paige Garbarini

Park Pictures’ “The Hero,” produced by Sam Bisbee (“Infinitely Polar Bear”, “Cop Car”, “Other People”), hit theaters earlier this summer, and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Festival, where it premiered. “The Hero” stars Sam Elliott in a critically acclaimed role where the long-valued supporting actor is finally front and center.

“The Hero” follows in the successful footsteps of the bi-coastal production company’s Sundance film from last year, “Other People,” the Independent Spirit Award-winning film starring Molly Shannon and Jesse Plemmons. “Other People” is currently available on Netflix.

“The Hero” is directed by Brett Haley, and was co-written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch. It is produced by Northern Lights, Park Pictures and Houston King Productions.

In “The Hero,” Sam Elliott plays Lee Hayden, a Western icon with a golden voice whose career peaked long ago. He passes time by reliving the glory days, basking in a cloud of marijuana with his former co-star turned dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman). When a devastating cancer diagnosis suddenly turns his priorities upside down, he pursues an exciting relationship with a stand-up comedian (Laura Prepon), attempts to reconnect with his daughter (Krysten Ritter), and seeks to find the final role to cement his legacy.

Critics have applauded the role of Lee Hayden as a game changer for Sam Elliott, stirring up some significant Oscar buzz. Elliott was referred to as a “national treasure” by the New York Times, and reviewers across the board claim “The Hero” gives Elliott the most award-worthy role of his career.

One of the most captivating aspects of the movie is the hazy dream sequences sprinkled throughout where Elliott’s character finds himself back on the set of a Western, replaying famous scenes. These cinematic dreams add a stylistic flourish to the drama. The film is still playing in theaters in Los Angeles, New York and other major markets.

“The Hero” comes at a time of rapid-fire success for Park Pictures’ features division. Check out their past and upcoming feature work here.

Since its launch in 2011, Park Pictures Features has had six feature premieres at Sundance: Independent-Spirit Award nominee “Robot & Frank” (2012), Golden-Globe nominated “Infinitely Polar Bear” (2014), “God’s Pocket” (2014), “Cop Car” (2015), Independent Spirit Award-winning “Other People” (2016) and “The Hero” (2017).