Rent Accidental Hero (1992)

To Be Frank - Accidental Hero review by Steve

Everyone is struggling and searching for something- or someone- to hold onto that makes a better life feel possible; a new deal to unite the people. Yes, this little known sleeper reimagines a depression era Frank Capra comedy for the ordinary American cynic traumatised by eight years of divisive Reaganomics.

Dustin Hoffman plays a petty criminal who enters a burning plane crash and steals a purse, while incidentally saving the lives of all the passengers, including Geena Davis in the Barbara Stanwyck role, as a determined tv news reporter, with a heart. Andy Garcia is a homeless Vietnam vet who tries to claim the reward, because he needs to eat.

Or more thrillingly, he assumes the Gary Cooper role from Meet John Doe (1941). Hoffman almost wrecks the film with a clumsy performance that sends up the script. But it survives. This is an optimistic, feelgood Capra for the new economic recession of the 80s/90s. There's even a brass band playing Auld Lang Syne. And there is another ace...

Famously Meet John Doe had no possible ending that complied with the Production Code. The studio even failed to overcome this obstacle by running a competition. Half a century on, this has another go. And it's better, though still the weakest part of a comedy-drama which mysteriously flunked but deserves a second chance.