Accidental Hero (1992)

Cautiously Recommended

USA

Feature Film

Original Title: Hero

Director: Stephen Frears

Writers: David Webb Peoples, Alvin Sargent, Laura Ziskin

Cinematographer: Oliver Stapleton

Composer: George Fenton

Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Geena Davis, Andy Garcia, Joan Cusack, James Madio, Chevy Chase, Kevin J. O'Connor

A cynical small-time crook, about to be sentenced for the receiving of stolen goods, reluctantly saves the lives of 54 people from an aeroplane that crashes right before his eyes, but – not wanting any attention (and having stolen the handbag of one of those that he saved) – he avoids taking the credit… that is until a one million dollar reward is offered by a television company for his bravery (and taken by someone else), in Frears’s well paced, amiably acted, and generally entertaining film, which is let down by a somewhat overblown score and a few misjudged Capraesque touches. Iain.Stott