Year: 1982
Runtime: 97 min
Language: English
Director: Michael Pressman
A veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life finds himself facing a series of daunting challenges. Returning from the war, he discovers his wife is missing, his business has failed, and he feels abandoned by a bureaucratic government. This compelling story explores the difficult journey of a man confronting the realities of returning home and seeking a path towards rebuilding his life.
Get a spoiler-free look at Some Kind of Hero (1982) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a post‑Vietnam America where the streets feel both familiar and foreign, a weary soldier steps off a battlefield and into the thin‑air of civilian life. Eddie Keller returns home carrying the invisible scars of captivity, only to find that his world has moved on without him. The house he once shared is now a place of quiet absence, his once‑promising business lies in ruins, and the relentless bureaucracy of the Veterans Administration treats his service like a file waiting to be closed. The film settles into a gritty, almost tactile realism, letting the audience feel the weight of each unanswered phone call and the hollow echo of a life that once seemed certain.
Amid the cold, fluorescent glow of government offices and the dim neon of downtown bars, Eddie encounters Toni, a woman who works the night shift as a high‑priced companion. Their meeting feels less like a collision of plot points and more like two solitary travelers crossing a desolate highway. Toni’s presence adds a soft, unexpected warmth to an otherwise stark landscape, hinting at the possibility that compassion can surface even in the most unlikely places. Their tentative connection becomes a quiet counterpoint to the surrounding indifference, offering Eddie a glimpse of humanity that his military past has long denied him.
The film’s tone balances somber introspection with flickering hope, using the muted palette of a city that has forgotten its heroes to amplify the internal battle each character wages. Scenes are framed with a lingering, almost voyeuristic eye, allowing viewers to sit with Eddie’s frustration, his lingering memories of captivity, and the endless paperwork that seems to measure his worth. As the narrative unfolds, the audience is invited to wonder whether the stubborn perseverance of a man abandoned by institutions can carve out a new path, or whether the shadows of his past will forever dictate his future.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:11
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories of soldiers battling bureaucracy and a society that forgot them.Find more films like Some Kind of Hero that explore the difficult homecoming of soldiers. These movies show veterans struggling with PTSD, financial ruin, and a sense of betrayal by the government they served, leading to desperate acts and a search for redemption.
The narrative typically begins with a soldier's return from conflict, only to find his life in shambles. The central conflict pits the individual against an impersonal, flawed system—be it governmental, corporate, or societal. The protagonist's military skills and mindset often clash with civilian norms, driving the story toward a crisis point where they must break the rules to achieve a form of justice or freedom.
These films are grouped by their shared thematic focus on the veteran experience post-service, a tone of gritty realism mixed with righteous anger, and a protagonist who is both a victim and an agent of their own chaotic destiny. They share a heavy emotional weight and a critical view of institutions.
When good people are pushed to the edge, right and wrong become blurred.If you liked the moral complexity of Some Kind of Hero, explore these stories of ordinary people driven to crime. These films feature protagonists who commit illegal acts not for greed, but as a last resort against overwhelming odds, creating a bittersweet and tension-filled experience.
The plot follows a fundamentally decent character who experiences a series of escalating misfortunes that strip away their safety nets. Faced with no legitimate solutions, they reluctantly turn to a criminal plan. The narrative tension comes from the high-risk execution and the internal conflict of the protagonist, who must compromise their values to achieve a precarious victory.
These movies share a specific narrative arc of a descent into crime driven by desperation rather than malice. They have a high intensity, a steady pacing that builds tension, and a bittersweet emotional tone where success is tainted by the means used to achieve it. The focus is on the moral ambiguity of the actions.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Some Kind of Hero in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Some Kind of Hero is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Some Kind of Hero, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
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Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Some Kind of Hero. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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