Daniel Ocean of Ocean's 11 (2001) is not the first name people would think of when they are asked to list heroic characters. Atticus Finch and James Bond come much more readily. Even as I am writing this, I know he pales in comparison to these giants of fiction, but he still has heroic attributes.
The first scene of the movie shows Ocean being interviewed for early release from a Southern New Jersey prison and it is revealed that he is a thief and con artist. Yes, the hero starts his journey in handcuffs, but upon release from jail he is able to begin. Like anyone just released from prison would, he goes to a casino in Atlantic City, has a drink, and begins his journey assembling a team. To do what you ask? Rob the three biggest casinos in Vegas. Yes, more illegal activities for our hero, making my case harder and harder, but he crosses the first threshold of his journey by recruiting his right-hand man, Rusty.
Upon building his team of 11 men with various talents, his basic plan of breaking into the Bellagio vault is revealed to the group. Everyone thinks he is crazy, but they stick with it. This is a tribute to Ocean's ability to be a leader. He has the charisma, intelligence, and possesses great skills as a conman to be the one to lead this team of 11 into the most insane robbery of all-time. Ocean has his work cut out for him as he now finds himself in quite the belly of quite a whale.
Now the research begins. Ocean and crew begin casing the casino, learning all of habits of a very punctual and ruthless Terry Benedict. During this reconnaissance, Rusty learns that Benedict's girlfriend is Ocean's ex-wife, Tess. Rusty confronts Ocean and Danny admits that the heist is not all about Tess and mysteriously hints that he will not be the one choosing between her and the $150 million. Upon hearing this, it certainly seems that there is a temptress in the form of an ex-wife who may distract Ocean from doing his job.
It actually does as Ocean is red-flagged by the casino. Now every security officer knows his face and he will not be able to perform his original duties. This is where we get to see Ocean as a mentor. Throughout the movie, Ocean has been mentoring Linus, the son of another famous conman, by giving him smaller tasks to complete telling him "you've gotta crawl before you walk, kid". Linus actually steps into Ocean's role here and performs quite admirably when the con begins.
The initial con goes successfully and once Benedict learns of his loss he goes straight to Ocean. Tess is secretly watching the exchange between the two men and Ocean offers Benedict a deal, he gives up Tess and Ocean will "look into" who robbed him. Benedict accepts and Tess runs out of her room to see Ocean before he is taking away to jail for violating his parole.At this moment, it becomes clear that Ocean's primary plan was to steal Tess back. This noble goal was achieved in a relatively odd way, but shows that Ocean is a heroic figure in doing all of this to get his wife back. The crew has their money and Ocean has Tess, proving that sometimes, you can have both.
Ocean's journey has elements of what Joseph Campbell believes to be the arc of a hero. While his journey is an illegal one, his intentions of getting his wife back were morally right. He also serves as Linus's mentor during the movie and sequels, showing himself to be a caring and nurturing person, certainly aspects of a hero. The greatest evidence I have for Daniel Ocean being a hero probably rests in Frank Sinatra and George Clooney. If a character is played by these two legends of cinema, he is certainly a hero in many eyes.
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Stealing things that are hard to steal is cool. Daniel Ocean is clever, charismatic and one handsome devil. He is not quite a Robinhood figure because he steals from the rich and gives to himself (and his rich friends), but he is still heroic. Julia Roberts is does a nice job as a temptation of the flesh who also acts as a motivator in how Ocean picks his targets.
I don’t know if I would definitely agree with the title of hero for Daniel Ocean, but I can understand why he is attractive as character. Like Geoff said, his good looks and charismatic personality draws people to him. His is very talented in what he does, but his competence in stealing does not deliver a positive boon to society.
The character of Daniel Ocean is a hero – a hero for all those who walk into the a casino and walk out having lost to the House. The odds walking into a casino are stacked against the player the moment he or she step into the casino-the air in the casino is highly oxygenated, the light is dimmed , the deck is continuously changed – every variable is stacked against the player. What Ocean is proving in the movie is that if the casinos are going to manipulate every variable in the favor – well why not just rob the thief's that are thieving you every time your placing a bet.
I think it is a stretch to call Daniel Ocean a hero. He may have admirable attributes and a leader to his group, but when I think of a hero I think of someone who altruistically helps others. In that respect Ocean falls short. He simply helps himself.
OF course he’s a hero. Just about every obvious Hollywood-hero trait is present…the underdog taking on the all powerful and ruthless
Terry Benedict and his casinos, against all odds, daring, a thief yet a man of honor and for the ladies charming and loveable.
HT I thought you were about to quote him for a moment (you know that scene in the elevator with Brad Pitt…
“the odds are stacked against the player…until that one moment when the player has an edge and can bet big enough to take down the house”
(or something like that)
cheers, Lev