He initially comes off as impressive and likeable, but distinctly
nonheroic. As we will see throughout our exploration of heroism, one
of the defining traits of heroes is that they put the common good, and
we emphasize good, ahead of their personal concerns. And yet, early in
the fi lm, we hear Rick claim more than once, when he might have put
himself out to help someone else, “I stick my neck out for nobody.”
We also see him behave callously toward a woman he’s been dating.
When she asks where he was the night before