Hancock 2008

The Story

John Hancock (Smith) wakes up on a park bench, empty liquor bottle close at hand, and with a small boy begging for his attention. There's a shootout happening on the freeway and the police need help. But Hancock, hung-over and looking like he hasn't washed in weeks, doesn't care. All he wants is for this kid, who calls him an a-hole (a recurring gag throughout the film so get used to it), to go away. Still, it's his job to save the day and so he streaks into the sky, crashes through freeway signs and sends cop cars flying before landing in the backseat of the bad guy's car. Now, subtly isn't in Hancock's vocabulary and neither are the words 'delicate landing'. $9 million worth of damage later, Hancock's latest 'good deed' is yet another in a long string of rescues that have left the citizens of Los Angeles, the police department, and prosecutors ready to lock Hancock in jail and throw away the key.


Columbia PicturesAnd, actually, Hancock does wind up in the slammer. PR guy Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), a well-meaning family man Hancock saved from being turned into mush by a train, takes on the job of reworking Hancock's image. It's a daunting task as Hancock has pretty much alienated all Los Angelinos, even the ones who owe their lives to the obnoxious superhero. Anyway, after introducing Hancock to his wife, (Charlize Theron), and young son, Aaron (Jae Head), Ray convinces him to issue a public apology, surrender to the authorities, and pledge to turn over a new leaf.
Gone are the days of boozing it up. Ray has worked miracles and now Hancock's complimenting the cops and even trying to learn how to smile. He's the good guy everyone wants to root for, but there's a big problem. Ray's pretty, perky wife has a secret – and it involves Hancock's past.