Hancock - Good Movie

Today, I watched "Hancock", the movie. When I heard Will Smith was playing the hero, I thought that the movie would be about Herbie Hancock, a well respected jazz musician. After all, Will Smith had previously played inspiring characters such as Cassius Clay a.k.a. Muhammad Ali (a well-known boxer), Robert Neville (based on a science fiction story) and Capt. Steven Hiller (in Independence Day).

Yes We Can, feat. Herbie Hancock
(You have to watch this if you support Barack Obama.)


Canteloup Island, feat. Herbie Hancock


The movie stars Will Smith as the title protagonist, John Hancock, who is a habitual drunk and causes damage and wreckage wherever he goes. Thus, despite his heroic acts of saving members of the public, he is must disliked by society. They often bemoan the high cost of repairs and his uncouth manners, often overlooking the fact that he has done heroic deeds in saving members of the public.

Jason Bateman stars as Ray Embrey, a well-meaning publicist who dedicates his life and time to helping Hancock, after Hancock rescues him from being hit by a train. He truly believes that Hancock can be liked by society, and should be liked -- even respected -- by society. Throughout the movie, he does not forget that Hancock had saved his life, and stands beside Hancock -- even when their friendship is severely tested.

Charlize Theron stars as Mary Embrey, Ray's loving wife who keeps her husband's interests close at heart. From the first moment she lays eyes on Hancock, she exhibits a dislike for him. Yet, there is a certain electricity between the two whenever they meet. It is later revealed that the main protagonist and her have had a long history spanning several thousand years. Despite this, she portrays an angel who is fiercely loyal to her mortal husband -- even to the point of pushing away Hancock, who is actual fact was created as her partner.

The movie plays with certain ironies that makes it worth watching a second time, even if merely to savour the moments and catch the vague passing references. For example, Ray calls his wife an "angel" several times during the movie, oblivious to the fact that she is indeed an actual angel -- as is the main protagonist, Hancock. Ray does not realise that his lovely wife was, in fact, Hancock's wife. Ray's wife, Mary, portrays herself as a meek and weak woman, when in fact she has strengths that can match that of Hancock. This last statement can be seen from the dialogue and the fight scene between Mary and Hancock.

Ray Embrey is an innocent man, who tries his best to help others. From the start, Ray's character is linked with charity and goodness. He is first presented to the audience as a genuine do-gooder, trying to sell the concept of "All Heart", a foundation that allows corporations to display its logo on its products -- provided, first of all, that they give away their products to the genuinely needy who cannot afford the products, but need them. He is first shown in a board room, filled with people wearing stuffy coats, ties and nicely ironed shirts. He presents the ideas, tells them that the logo is a privilege, extended only to select corporations -- and gets asked by the head honcho if he is mad. Obviously, they do not buy his ideas.

In the movie, Ray asks Hancock to serve prison time, on the reasoning that the citizens of the city cannot appreciate Hancock's heroic deeds. It is his absence which will cause them to realise the need for his presence. And thus, Hancock surrenders himself to a court, after 600 plus summonses have been issued to his name. The scenes in the prison are not exactly inspiring, but the plot does manage to paint Hancock as a person that we can emphatize with. His soft side is shown when he attends the various anger management classes with his fellow inmates.

A trailer about the movie on YouTube


The most heartbreaking thing about this movie was the fact that Hancock and Mary were made to be together, yet every time they got together, they would become mortal -- and so, exposed to danger of being killed by mobs. The fact that he is black and she is white, is of no help. Throughout the ages, mankind has exhibited bigotry and racism. Under the hypothetical situation created by the storyline, their relationship would surely have been put to the test by white society, which would have been intolerant of blacks dating their women. One is reminded of Shakespeare's play, Othello, which, in the past, has sparked controversy amongst white society in the USA. In fact, inter-racial relationships have become acceptable in America, as shown from the celebrity couplings of Seal (a singer) and Heidi Klum (a supermodel) and Tiger Woods (a golfer) and Elin Nordegren (a Swedish supermodel)

The movie ends, however, on a pleasant note. Ray and his wife live happily ever after, and Hancock does a great job of being a superhero that the city loves.