American Hero 2015

In the gritty streets of New Orleans, a wheelchair-bound Gulf War veteran named Lucille begins a heartfelt journey to find her old friend, Melvin. Accompanied by a dedicated documentary crew eager to capture their story, Lucille’s search leads them to a shocking discovery—Melvin, a man grappling with the chains of addiction, is found slumped unconscious on a sidewalk. His life has spiraled downwards, marked by wild parties and reckless behavior, all while being estranged from his ex-wife Doreen and losing custody of their young son, Rex.

Amidst this chaos, Lucas, a passionate science teacher at a local community college, has been observing Melvin’s remarkable gift—an extraordinary ability for telekinesis. Despite Lucas’s insistence that Melvin seek help, Melvin chooses to exploit his powers for meager gains through street performances, fueling his addiction further. All the while, Lucille is convinced that a local drug dealer named Nathan is at the heart of the neighborhood’s escalating violence.

As Melvin’s lifestyle spirals even further out of control, he suffers a devastating*** episode of intoxication*** and awakens in a hospital, faced with the fact that his heart had ceased beating for several intense minutes. This near-death experience ignites a remarkable transformation within him, prompting a declaration to turn away from alcohol and strive to become a positive force, especially in hopes of reuniting with Rex.

Encouraged by local lawman Jimmy, who is impressed with Melvin’s newfound intentions, he seeks Melvin’s help in reclaiming the neighborhood from crime. With Lucille by his side as a mentor, Melvin starts to harness his telekinetic talents and confronts Nathan’s gang, delivering a bold warning that reverberates throughout the area. However, Nathan’s ruthless retaliation—ordering a hit on Lucille—crashes down on Melvin, sending him back into the depths of addiction and chaos, causing collateral damage to innocent lives.

As tensions escalate, Nathan mobilizes his men to eliminate Melvin and his allies. Yet, Melvin demonstrates a stunning ability to deflect bullets. In this critical moment, he chooses to rekindle his commitment to sobriety and work alongside Lucille once more, refining his incredible skills. Their training comes to fruition as Melvin conducts a mesmerizing display of engineering—all while effortlessly disassembling and reassembling a car, showcasing his extraordinary talents.

With his newfound expertise, Melvin advises Jimmy to remain vigilant against any threats from Nathan, before launching a fierce counterattack on Nathan’s gang. Utilizing his telekinesis, he unleashes chaos, hurling cars and scrap metal that render their weapons useless. The climactic showdown sees Melvin chasing Nathan into a building, leading to a dramatic collapse that effectively drives away Nathan’s gang and puts an end to their treacherous influence in the area.

In the wake of their triumph, Melvin honors Lucille’s unwavering support with a heartfelt gift—a specially designed, sporty wheelchair he crafted for her. This thoughtful gesture symbolizes their rejuvenated bond, reflecting his appreciation for her mentorship throughout their journey. Finally, with Doreen cautiously reconsidering and the possibility of rekindling his relationship with Rex on the horizon, Melvin takes a bold move to present Doreen with a significant sum for child support. Initially reluctant, Doreen ultimately agrees, allowing Melvin to reunite with Rex—an emotional bike ride home from school turns into a cherished moment of bonding for the long-separated family.