Love is a bond that is difficult to break. When public relations specialist Ray Embry (Jason Bateman) realizes his wife, Mary (Charlize Theron) has a secret he stands by her side. Ray is one of those guys who doesn’t push the envelope. He doesn’t go outside his comfort zone. Ray is happy with his complacent lifestyle. He has a beautiful wife, an adorable son, and a challenging career. What more could he want? I say a heck of a whole lot. Ray is in need of some unconditional love.
One day changes Ray’s life forever. He meets a man, Hancock (Will Smith), with a super-human strength that saved his life. Unfortunately, Hancock caused a lot of destruction in the process and this made Los Angeles turn against him. To thank Hancock for saving his life, Ray invites him to his home for dinner with his family. He pitches a public relations campaign to improve Hancock’s image.
Currently, Hancock is an alcoholic, foul-mouth, superhuman. He doesn’t immediately accept Ray’s offer. In fact, Hancock is suspicious of the generosity. But he eventually comes around. Hancock finds himself making atonements to Los Angeles for his bad behavior. Hancock is trying to be patient and resist the urge to use his powers. Ray and his family manage to convince him that Hancock is more than the sum of his parts. Suddenly, Hancock becomes the superhero that he was meant to be and starts saving lives without the destruction.
Hancock is like a walk on the wild side. It’s not your typical romantic story, but I chose to review this film for Valentines Day because it’s messy, complicated, and unpredictable, like most relationships. It has a lot of meat that you sink your teeth into. As Hancock’s popularity grows, he begins to question his existence. He confides to Ray and Mary that he’s immortal but suffers from amnesia due to an incident that took place 80-years prior. Ray confesses that Mary isn’t his son’s biological mother. I really didn’t see a need to make this a reveal. Oh, well. Anyway, while Ray is sleeping, Hancock and Mary confront each other. Things get intimate and then physical, forcing Mary to reveal her superpowers. Mary threatens to kill Hancock if he mentions it to Ray. My main question is who is going to explain the severe damage to the house? This scene made no sense to me. They should have cut it out of the movies. But that’s my opinion. Again, films are subjective.
Hancock is unmoved by Mary’s threats. He wants to understand who he is and if Mary has anything to do with his amnesia. He leaves with the question still nagging his conscious. Mary finally meets up with Hancock. Once, again, Hancock threatens to expose Mary unless she reveals who they are and how they came to Earth. Mary drops a bombshell on Hancock. She explains their origin and how they’re the last two members of a race that lived 3,000 years, and they’re married. There’s something about Mary that tells Hancock she’s concealing information. Hancock is prompted to speak to Ray about her. However, Mary refuses to allow Hancock to ruin her life and battles him in downtown Los Angeles. OK, I must stop here to say, if you don’t want anyone to know who you are, don’t make the confrontation so public! It’s no surprise that Ray sees his wife using super abilities. That’s nothing compared to what Mary reveals. Hancock is her husband. I’m surprised the writers didn’t address the obvious bigamy. Mary is already married, so her marriage to Ray isn’t legal. That’s another dilemma that should have been explored.
The writers did address an interesting paradox. They are husband and wife, but can’t be together or they risk their powers being diminished. When Hancock is wounded foiling a bank robbery, he’s bedridden, trying to recover. As he is lying on his hospital bed, Mary visits and explains how immortals pair up and, if they do, it will weaken them. There’s a Romeo and Juliet theme here. If Hancock and Mary pair up, they will become human and lead ordinary lives. Obviously, this is not the choice Hancock and Mark accepts. Mary can’t stay with Hancock because it would be detrimental to both of them. Soon the hospital is raided by men who were humiliated by Hancock and seeks revenge. Mary is mortally wounded trying to protect Hancock. Hancock defends Mary but receives additional injuries. Ray is the hero in this when he prevents the bank robbers from killing Hancock.
True to their existence. Hancock had to separate from Mary so she could heal. With his own wounds in need of healing, Hancock makes the ultimate sacrifice by separating himself from Mary. Later, and at a distance, he watches Ray walking with Mary and their son. They’re oblivious that he’s nearby. Hancock allows Mary to lead her life with Ray without interference. So, no divorce. Hancock just backs off. What a strange ending.
What I enjoyed most is the theme that sometimes you must love someone at a distance. I highly recommend this film. The film grossed 624.4 million USD on a budget of 150 million USD, so it did well. Hancock is available for rent via DVD Netflix. Add it to your queue today.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wejlx3n2g8w”]
Movie Rating: 4 stars.
Movie Rating Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Great for the Fans
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
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