The Hero

As Lee Hayden (71), a seasoned cowboy actor, navigates the drudgery of recording a ubiquitous slogan for a Texas barbecue sauce, his frustration grows with each repetition. His agent, Peter, delivers a sobering assessment: there are no prominent roles on the horizon, but he'll continue to seek opportunities. The weight of this reality is compounded when Lee receives devastating news from his doctor, prompting him to research and confront the harsh truth about his health.

Seeking solace in old friends, Lee pays a visit to Jeremy, with whom he shares a nostalgic connection stemming from their time on the short-lived TV series "Cattle Drive". As they bond over a shared love of weed and cookies, Lee confides in Jeremy about a recurring dream that's been plaguing him. He envisions a cinematic representation of this dream, which features an unsettling image: a man suspended from a tree.

As Lee navigates the present, he finds himself drawn to Charlotte, a younger woman who seems genuinely interested in his life despite their age difference. The audience is treated to occasional glimpses into Lee's dream world, where official documents with redactions hint at a mysterious narrative thread.

In reality, Lee reconnects with his ex-wife Valarie and learns more about their daughter Lucy, whom he's lost touch with over the years. His desire for closure prompts him to reach out to Lucy, who's now thriving as an advertising executive at Google. Her annoyance at Lee's lack of understanding regarding her new life serves as a poignant reminder of the vast changes that have taken place since their separation.

As Lee prepares to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Western Preservation and Appreciation Guild, he encounters Charlotte once more at a taco truck. He extends an invitation for her to join him at the ceremony, which she accepts. As they share this experience, it becomes clear that these two individuals from different walks of life are forging a connection that transcends their age difference.

As the champagne flowed freely in their limousine en route to the prestigious event, Charlotte (Charlotte) slyly added an extra ingredient to her drink, inquiring if Lee wanted to join her in this indulgence. Without hesitation, Lee agreed, and as they chatted, Charlotte shared a fascinating fact about the origins of the phrase "burning the candle at both ends," tracing it back to a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Meanwhile, Lee lamented his impending honor, opining that his only truly notable role was one from 40 years ago, in the iconic film "The Hero."

As they arrived at the ceremony, Gary (Gary) warmly welcomed Lee, followed by a devoted fan, Betsy, who requested an autograph. When the moment of truth arrived, Gary praised Lee's legendary performance as "The Hero" in the eponymous film, and the audience was treated to a exclusive clip that would remain unseen by the wider movie-going public.

Lee took the stage to accept his award, delivering a lengthy speech in which he humbly emphasized that he was no more deserving of recognition than anyone else in attendance. In a surprising twist, Lee singled out a random attendee, Diane, and presented her with the award, further underscoring his humility.

As the sun set over the rolling hills, Lee found himself alone on a rustic property, clad in cowboy attire and sporting a striking white hat. A mysterious figure in black emerged from the shadows, revealing that he had finally caught up with Lee. The air was thick with tension as several other men closed in, determined to capture their quarry. Lee responded by drawing his gun, prompting the director to yell "Cut!" In reality, however, Lee merely walked over to his director's chair on Lucy's tennis court, where he was greeted by the lovely and athletic Lucy (Lucy), who radiated warmth and friendliness.

As Lee came back to reality, he found himself beside Charlotte in bed. The morning after their champagne-fueled escapade, they engaged in a leisurely breakfast conversation, during which Charlotte revealed that they had indeed gone out on the town after the ceremony, visiting various hotspots, but Lee's memories of these events remained hazy. It was only later, as they strolled along a rugged beachside promenade, that Charlotte shared with Lee her profession as a stand-up comedian and invited him to witness one of her performances at a local club.

As Lee pays a visit to Jeremy, he's met with the astonishing news that his impromptu speech from the previous night has gone viral. This sudden surge of fame leads Peter to bestow upon Lee a plethora of new roles, including a highly coveted spot in an upcoming space epic blockbuster. Intrigued by this opportunity, Lee requests script pages be faxed to him, prompting Jeremy to marvel at his old-fashioned methods. As they run through the lines together, Lee's impressive acting chops are on full display, with his second attempt being nothing short of convincing. The role, which sees Lee play a rugged cowboy tasked with rescuing a daughter who believes him to be deceased, is a far cry from his typical typecast. Nevertheless, Lee is drawn to the project and begins to make arrangements for cancer treatment, though he ultimately struggles to commit, possibly due to concerns that it might interfere with filming.

Lee's evening takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon Cameron Esposito wrapping up her set at a comedy club. Ali Wong then introduces Charlotte, who launches into a humorous routine about the thrill of dating an elderly man, remarking on the excitement of potentially being widowed at any moment. Lee, taken aback by her frankness, exits the premises with his back to the stage, effectively cutting short Charlotte's performance.

Later, Lee and Charlotte have a heart-to-heart conversation, during which she explains that she felt compelled to tackle the subject matter in such a bold manner because it's what audiences expect from comedians. When Lee reveals his age and shares that Lucy is 34, Charlotte reveals that she herself is older than that. This candid exchange serves as a precursor to Lee's upcoming audition for his would-be film role.

At the audition, Lee attempts to deliver his lines from memory but finds himself struggling to recall them. However, the director remains undeterred, encouraging Lee to take his time and not worry about making mistakes. It becomes clear that the director is eager to have Lee on board for the project, and the actor is given a script page to aid him in his memorization process. Despite his best efforts, Lee's emotional investment in the role proves to be a hindrance, causing him to flounder during the audition.

As Lee departs the audition, he's suddenly confronted by a social media influencer who ambushes him in the parking garage. The influencer's pushy behavior and imposing camera rig leave Lee feeling disoriented and frustrated, prompting him to rebuff the individual with a firm "Not now" before exiting the situation altogether.

As Lee trudges through his days, he finds solace in the numbing effects of liquor, drowning his sorrows and missing the opportunity to connect with Lucy over a long overdue lunch. The irony is not lost that she's surrounded by people, while Lee is alone outside, unable to answer her calls. Despite his best efforts to reach out, their connection remains tenuous at best.

Charlotte becomes the catalyst for change in Lee's life, showering him with kindness and urging him to fight for more time. She presents him with a poignant collection of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry, and it's here that he finally shares his dire diagnosis with someone other than himself. Charlotte's words of wisdom are laced with desperation as she implores Lee to explore every available treatment option, no matter how slim the chances may be.

The weight of his mortality bears down on Lee as he grapples with the prospect of leaving behind those he loves. His art show visit with Valarie serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of tragedy, life goes on for those around him. It's here that he begins to break the news to those closest to him, including Valarie, who listens with a mixture of concern and resignation.

Lucy and Lee have a heart-wrenching reunion atop a windswept hill overlooking the ocean. The conversation is laced with regret as Lucy expresses her deep-seated disappointment that Lee was often absent from her life. The fact that she still refers to him as "Lee" rather than "Dad" serves as a poignant reminder of their strained relationship.

Charlotte's persistence eventually pays off as Lee agrees to seek treatment, and he makes the call with a mix of trepidation and resignation. As he sits on his deck, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the valley, the soothing sounds of classical music fill the air. The camera pans out, capturing the stunning vistas, when suddenly the music is interrupted by the sound of a receptionist's voice, bringing the viewer back down to earth.

As Charlotte visits Lee for his 72nd birthday, she stumbles upon the poetry book hidden away, and it serves as a poignant reminder of their conversations about mortality. She reads aloud a beautiful piece about the fragility of life and the inevitability of loss, her voice laced with emotion.

The film's opening scene is revisited in a clever twist just before the credits roll. This time, Lee finds himself preparing for a BBQ ribs shoot instead of chicken sauce, a fitting metaphor for the way he's learned to adapt to the hand life has dealt him. The same producer's voice can be heard in the background, asking for "one more take" as Lee resigns himself to his fate.