Watch Hello Herman

Hello Herman is a drama movie from 2012, directed by Michelle Danner, starring Norman Reedus, Garrett Backstrom, and Martha Higareda. The movie addresses the complex issue of school shootings and explores the underlying factors that lead young individuals to commit such crimes. The story revolves around Herman Howards (Garrett Backstrom), a high school student who becomes infamous after committing a mass shooting in his school. Shortly after his arrest, Herman is visited by Lax Morales (Norman Reedus), a journalist who proposes to interview him and broadcast his story to the world. Herman agrees to the interview, and the rest of the movie is presented in a series of flashbacks, as Herman recounts his troubled past, and Lax questions him about his motivations.

Hello Herman is a chilling and thought-provoking movie that forces the audience to confront the darker aspects of human nature. It presents a stark portrayal of a young man who is consumed by rage and despair, and the consequences of his actions. The movie explores the causes and effects of school shootings, as well as the role of the media in the aftermath of these tragedies.

One of the strengths of Hello Herman is its unflinching portrayal of the events leading up to the shooting. The movie goes beyond the usual narrative of a lone, mentally ill shooter, and digs into the deeper societal issues that contribute to such violence. Herman is portrayed as a troubled teenager who is grappling with a range of issues, including bullying, parental neglect, and a general sense of hopelessness. His emotional journey is complex, and the movie does not shy away from presenting him as a multifaceted character with both good and bad qualities.

Another standout aspect of Hello Herman is the performance of Garrett Backstrom as Herman. Backstrom delivers a nuanced and haunting portrayal of a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world. He manages to convey the right mix of vulnerability, anger, and stubbornness, making Herman a character that is difficult to categorize or judge. Norman Reedus also delivers a solid performance as Lax Morales, the journalist who serves as the audience's guide through Herman's story.

In terms of its visuals, Hello Herman is a well-crafted movie that uses its cinematography and editing to great effect. The flashbacks are seamlessly interwoven into the present-day scenes, creating a narrative that is both engaging and easy to follow. The movie also uses a muted color palette to mirror the bleakness of the story, and the occasional use of slow-motion or close-ups lends itself to the emotional intensity of the scenes.

Overall, Hello Herman is a movie that is not easy to watch, but it is an important one. It tackles a difficult subject matter with sensitivity and intelligence, offering a sobering look at the factors that lead to school shootings. It is a movie that raises more questions than it answers, but it is a necessary conversation starter for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of violence in our society.

Hello Herman is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 27.