THE HERO

Made famous by his iconic role as a heroic cowboy in the 70s and 80s, Lee Hayden’s present-day career is dismal. Between infrequent voice-over gigs, he passes the time getting high with his former co-star and hesitantly falls into a new romance with Charlotte, a bold stand-up comic half his age. After receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Western Appreciation and Preservation Guild, his colorful acceptance speech thrusts him back into the limelight, flooding him with promising new job prospects. His career and love life gain a second wind while the recent news of his unfortunate medical diagnosis has him in a state of serious contemplation. At 71 years old, Lee dwells on his legacy—not only in his role as an actor, but also as an ex-husband, absent father, and aging man. With a star-studded cast including the legendary Sam Elliott as Lee Hayden, THE HERO portrays a man reflecting on the lasting mark he’s made on this world while attempting to make peace for his remaining days ahead. – A.B.