Hero at Large

Released in 1980, "Hero at Large" is a drama/romance about a struggling actor in Manhattan (John Ritter) who gets a gig pretending to be Captain Avenger and signing autographs. While trying to start a relationship with a stand-offish woman across the hall (Anne Archer) he unwittingly stops a crime dressed up as the superhero and becomes an overnight sensation in the New York media, albeit anonymously. Can he keep his motives pure or will he sacrifice his integrity for filthy lucre? Bert Convy, Kevin McCarthy and Harry Bellaver have peripheral roles.

Ritter was in the best physical shape in his life when this was shot, riding the height of his popularity with Three's Company (1976-1984). Unfortunately a great film career was not to be (the only other movie I remember his being in is 1996' "Sling Blade"). He's a thoroughly likable protagonist, but his character comes off too good to be true. His too-nice approach fails to stir up the romantic interest of the babe across the hall, who apparently prefers sharp studs in sports cars to puppy dogs with infatuated eyes.

The New York City locations are great and the movie works as a period piece for 1979 (when it was shot), but important points aren't driven home as they should've been. They're there, and you'll discern them if you reflect on the movie, they're just not driven home while viewing. In the meantime you have to endure an uninteresting non-romance that may or may not blossom. Archer shines with her smiley eyes, but her character is so aloof that it's unbelievable that Steve (Ritter) would continue pursuing her. She's clearly NOT interested. Meanwhile, Convy looks great and is unintentionally amusing in his late 70's goggles.

The picture runs 98 minutes and was shot in Manhattan and Queens.

GRADE: C

I watched this movie when I was like six. I loved it then. I was thinking about it today and decided to rent it. I have no idea why I thought of it. Just out of the blue. But it really holds up well. It is a fun little film and John Ritter and Ann Archer are really marvelous. I highly recommend it. The film is really remarkable on a lot of levels.

A 2 bit actor turns his part time job of hyping a movie into becoming a public defender, of sorts. His daring exploits unite the community and provide the mayor with a political boost. Plus, the hero finds love along the way. Nice, easy little production.

There's a lot going on with "Hero At Large." Notably, this is a film that was, for the bulk of it, made on location in NYC, circa 1979. That fact alone would be enough to recommend it, because it gives you a glimpse into what the city was about at that time, how it looked, what was playing at local movie houses and on Broadway, and what was important to its residents.

But this film goes well beyond the basics of the setting. And that's due to a meaningful script by A.J. Carothers and a truly remarkable performance by John Ritter.

In some ways, Ritter's character here is in a similar situation to Dustin Hoffman's character in 1982's "Tootsie." He plays an out of work actor who is desperate to get a part in a play, or even a commercial just to make the rent. When he books the role of Captain Avenger, a comic book hero who is the star of a cheesy live action film, he's not the motion picture actor, he's the stooge signing 8 x 10s outside of the theater dressed in the character's costume, one of dozens of actors playing the part all over town! But on the way home from his gig, when his local grocer gets held up at knife-point, he uses that costume to thwart the street toughs and saves the day! His interest in his next door neighbor, J. (Anne Archer) helps to fuel his heroics, and he finds himself starting to take chances to help people and win her attention and affection, and to make a statement about what's really important.

A surprise is Bert Convy, who was known for his "nice guy" image, here goes against type as the sleazy PR manager, who was in charge of both the Captain Avenger film and the Mayoral Campaign of the incumbent, who sees a way of tying the two together, based on the genuine heroics of the actor, that regular guy trying to make people think about a bigger idea(l).

This is a New York movie, through and through, but it's the heart of the film that makes it special and that's due to John Ritter. His performance is always genuine, never hits a wrong note and is a tribute to the actor himself. It's those elements that take this film to soaring heights! Plus there are cameos by some of the city's longtime television reporters: Who knew that Penny Crone had brown hair at one time?

Hero At Large may not be the greatest superhero film ever, but it's better than many that are longer on special effects and much shorter on story.

This role is one of Ritters' best performances in a highly acclaimed career. His portrayal of a really nice and well-meaning guy, who has to make a tough ethical decision to help him pay his bills, is thoughtful and funny at the same time without being over-the-top Jack Tripper funny. Ritter and the Director give a great real-world look at super-heroes. How does he get to crime scenes? Can he dodge bullets? Where does a super hero get medical attention?

In a way it's sort of a misnomer to call him a super hero since he doesn't actually have any super powers, but his willingness to put himself in danger to help others is the core value that all super heroes must have. The fact that he goes out and tries to stop crimes anyway, without super powers, makes him even more courageous than a true comic book hero in a way.

Before movies like Unbreakable and Spiderman came along I called this movie the best super hero movie ever made. No special effects other than a few fires. No flying through the air. Just a real guy showing that courage and caring are what's really important. One of the best feel-good endings of any movie ever made.