Watch Some Kind of Hero

Some Kind of Hero is a 1982 drama-comedy film that stars Richard Pryor, Margot Kidder, and Ray Sharkey. The movie is based on a novel authored by James Kirkwood Jr., who also took part in the movie's adaptation. The movie was directed by Michael Pressman and produced by Fred Bauer. The film's soundtrack was composed by Charles Fox. The story revolves around a soldier named Eddie Keller (Richard Pryor) who returns home from the Vietnam War after being held in a Vietnam prison camp for five years. Eddie finds out that he is no longer welcomed back home, as his son does not think much about him, his wife has moved on without him and married a local businessman, who is currently running for mayor. Additionally, Eddie is forced to deal with various health problems due to his imprisonment in Vietnam.

During his search for a job, Eddie's lawyer promises to help him get a disability pension, but he needs to provide proof that he was a prisoner of war. The idea of going back to the Vietnam War to retrieve his record seems impossible for Eddie. However, after a series of unfortunate events, Eddie is presented with an opportunity to retrieve his records.

With the help of a prostitute named Toni Donovan (Margot Kidder), Eddie manages to obtain his records. Along the way, Eddie and Toni develop a relationship, which at first is based on money but gradually blossoms into true affection. Eddie also gets to meet a streetwise young man named Ramon (Ray Sharkey), with whom he strikes a strong friendship.

Some Kind of Hero is a film that portrays, with great sympathy and insight, the post-traumatic stress disorder that many Vietnam veterans have had to deal with after returning home from the war. Although it includes many comedic elements, the movie takes a serious tone and does not shy away from exploring the seriousness of the war's emotional toll on the veterans.

Richard Pryor's portrayal of Eddie is a great example of the comedian's ability to tackle serious issues with humor and grace. The film is also notable for its strong supporting cast, including the late Margot Kidder and Ray Sharkey as Eddie's newfound friends. Loretta Devine also delivers a solid performance as Eddie's wife, who has moved on without him.

The movie's soundtrack by Charles Fox is also excellent, especially the film's theme song, "Some Kind of Hero," which was performed by the inimitable Burt Bacharach. Fox's score provides a fitting accompaniment to the story's emotional beats.

Despite being released in an era in which Vietnam War movies were ubiquitous, Some Kind of Hero managed to stand out thanks to its unique focus on the psychological impact of war on the soldiers themselves. The film was also notable for its nuanced portrayal of relationships, especially Eddie's interactions with Toni and Ramon.

In conclusion, Some Kind of Hero is an excellent film that tackles the serious issue of post-traumatic stress disorder with both humor and sincerity. Richard Pryor's performance is the highlight of the movie, but the entire cast shines in their respective roles. The plot is engaging, and Charles Fox's score provides a perfect accompaniment to the story. Overall, Some Kind of Hero is a highly recommended movie that still resonates with audiences today.

Some Kind of Hero is a 1982 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 68.