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'The Hero'

U.S. Dramatic; 96 minutes.

Sam Elliott proves he's more than just a rugged Western icon in "The Hero," a lovely comedy-drama about a lifetime of achievement.

Elliott plays Lee Hayden, a Western actor in Hollywood who claims only one movie in his career he's really proud of — titled, of course, "The Hero." Nowadays, Lee pays the bills by recording voiceovers for barbecue-sauce commercials, and spends his time smoking pot with his dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman). Lee also has an ex-wife, Val (played by Mrs. Elliott, Katharine Ross), and a daughter, Lucy (Krysten Ritter), whom he has disappointed many times.

Two events get Lee thinking about his mortality: A call that a Western-fans group wants to give him a lifetime achievement award, and a diagnosis that he has pancreatic cancer. Then Lee meets Charlotte (Laura Prepon), a stand-up comedian who's half Lee's age — but who doesn't see that as an obstacle to romance.

Director Brett Haley and his co-writer Marc Basch (who made the romance "I'll See You in My Dreams" with Elliott and Blythe Danner) have created the perfect vehicle for Elliott. They not only employ Elliott's cattle-baron voice and gruff manner, but they let the actor show the tenderness beneath the persona. Surrounded by rich and detail-specific characters, Elliott's Lee become one of the more indelible characters at this year's festival.

– Sean P. Means —

Also showing:

"The Hero" screens again at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival at the following times and venues:

• Thursday, Jan. 26, 3:15 p.m., Eccles Theatre, Park City

• Friday, Jan. 27, 9:15 p.m., The Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City

• Saturday, Jan. 28, 4 p.m., Redstone Cinema 2, Park City