In the new film, 'Somebody's Hero,' Christopher Gorham, known for his roles in 'Ugly Betty' and 'The Other Side of Heaven,' plays a particularly ordinary man who decides to take on crime to woo a woman and to also inspire her son, who struggles after the loss of his father.
'The entire cast was so professional, every day was a breath of fresh air,' said Robyn Bennett, one of the film's producers. 'Chris has an amazing sense of humor.'
This film, which was released this past Father's Day, expressed the importance of fatherly figures or just someone to look up to.
The film recently won Best Feature at the Coney Island Film Festival and has received many positive reviews. 'Every once in a great while, you find a gem. 'Somebody’s Hero' left me with a smile and a tear and inspired me to be a better man, to do the right thing,' said Mike Parker in a movie review for the Entertainment Examiner.
Director Darin Beckstead is an award-winning filmmaker originally from Utah and currently resides in Los Angeles. Beckstead's father recently passed away, similarly to the character Jake in the film.
'As a son and a father myself, it truly was an honor to celebrate the first Father’s Day since his passing with the release of 'Somebody’s Hero,'' said Beckstead in a news release. 'Add to this the premise of the film, it becomes a magic and emotional combination.'
The main character Dennis, an everyday New York City accountant, is played by Christopher Gorham, alongside Susan Misner of Gossip Girl, who plays Katie, the young widow whose son Jake is an avid fan of the movie superhero Man America.
While trying on a Man America costume to impress Jake, Dennis finds himself caught in the middle of an armed robbery. Instead of running away, he fights the robber, causing a media frenzy over the masked superhero protecting New York City. Inspired by his fans and believers, Dennis tries to become Jake's superhero and the hero New York City needs him to be.
Beckstead said in a news release that his father gave him a painting titled 'Even Superman Needs a Dad' by the artist Liz Lemon Swindle. 'The work certainly speaks for itself and it is easy to see the inspiration,' Beckstead said.
This film has earned the respect of many film critics and has taken over indie film festivals across the nation.
It has been described as a 'film about hope, family, perseverance and authenticity ... and often feels like ... 'The Ultimate Gift' or, perhaps, even that wonderful Christmas classic 'Miracle on 34th Street,'' according to Richard Propes, an independent film critic in a recent review.