source: Some Kind of Hero

Some Kind of Hero

I enjoyed the movie, but it made me feel disgusted about how the army and the citizens of America treated a POW.

Huh is what I said to myself at the end of this awful unbalanced mish mosh of different scenes. No plot, no character development. Just a whole ot of awful.

I watched this fresh off maybe my third read of the source novel, so for me, the lack of character development really shows up. I understand it's difficult to fit everything covered in a 294 page novel, but this could of been a much better movie if it was lengthened by about 15 minutes, with emphasis on character development, along with more story of what drove Eddie to take the risks he did after the military turned their back on him. I especially missed seeing more of his interaction with his mom, and feel they glossed over Eddie's time as a POW. Richard Pryor performed well as a dramatic actor here, they shouldn't have insisted making the film into yet another comedy vehicle.

Who already follow the Pryor's career will be surprised about this serious role in this anti-war movie, based on a book this picture bring to us an another and hidden Pryor's profile, without losing focus of course, he takes all bitter experience from a soldier who was at Vietinam's POW and all this is handling by USA's Army when he is back, the real problem begin when he realize that he isn't a hero anymore,he has judgment after he'd signs a complete confession to save a soldier's life, forgotten by his wife and worst by own country is too much for him, all mixed with good jokes and con behavior takes the picture as a pleasant entertainment!! Resume: First watch: 1994 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-VHS-DVD-R / Rating: 7

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS I remember seeing this on video in the mid-late 80s - and still can't get a Region 2 DVD of this one, so make do with a VHS copy made many years ago. Based on James Kirkwood's novel, Pryor does his typical (sometimes foul mouthed) routines as a POW returning to find his life has fallen apart. The early dramatic scenes have quite an impact, actually more so than the comedic scenes. Pryor tries hard with the material and there are some genuinely funny moments (the signing of the confession is one). Ronny Cox offers sturdy support and Margot Kidder plays the 'tart with a heart' who eventually drives off into the sunset with Pryor and $100,000 to boot! I've always had a soft spot for this movie, and was unjustly ignored at the box office. Pryor's screen presence carries this one, but this is still no way a turkey.

Richard Pryor spent half a decade as a POW in Vietnam. Now he's back in the US, and he's a hero. Except that his wife has walked out on him, his mother is in a nursing home and they want more money, the Army is taking its time on anything except for using him in press conferences and the bank he asks for a loan won't grant it. The only person willing to actually help is Margot Kidder, a high-class call girl, and he names her profession baldly. Watching Pryor in a straight role is interesting. He plays the same sort of character he does in his comedies, hapless and out of his depth, but without the air of hysteria that informs his comedy. The result is a telling satire of the growing disconnect between the promise of America and the reality.

Richard Pryor and Margot Kidder act in this film about a POW who returns home to the United States particularly Los Angeles, California dealing with his wife and mother. The film has a great cast such as Olivia Cole, Lynne Moody and Anne Haney in supporting roles. Richard Pryor was a terrific actor as well as comedian. This film was on a DVD that I found at the store. It's a great little gem of a movie.

Richard Pryor is the reason to see this movie. He takes a somewhat ordinary story, of a soldier who returns home from a Vietnam POW camp, to a less than welcome home, and makes it a better movie. His trying to look tough and menacing, and acting it out in front of a mirror, is really good ("Freeze, sucka! Get DOWN!!"), and then having all his efforts totally evaporate at the bank! A welcome movie to see, I recommend it. 7/10