He doesn’t have to think about it. He knows what he has to do. Above all, no one or anything can stop him. Beth needs him, and that is all that matters to him. He will save her. He will risk his life for her. If he dies for her, then so be it. He will not have died in vain.
Wednesday Warriors. Cloverfield‘s Rob Hawkins.
When falling in love, no one knows where it will lead. There may be periods of indescribable joy, and there my be episodes of unbearable pain. So it is with Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David) when he shows up at a surprise going away party in his honor. He is heading to Japan and leaving his friends behind. He is also leaving Beth McIntyre (Odette Annable) behind whom he loves.
The night couldn’t be better. His friends have determined to make his farewell bash the best party ever. And it is, until Beth appears with her new boyfriend. Soon after she leaves though, he and his friends plant themselves on the fire escape and talk about forgetting about Beth. As much as he would like, Rob can’t do that. He loves her and he doesn’t want to leave for Japan without having some sort of resolution with his former girlfriend.
That’s when it happens.
The earth shakes. The walls quake. And the lights go out.
Something sinister falls on New York City and everyone, including Rob wonders what it could be.
When the lights come back on, the news states something has attacked lower Manhattan, rendering it helpless. Fleeing to the top of the apartment building, Rob and his friends survey the city for damage. He doesn’t know it yet, but what will happen next will change his life forever. An object screams down from the heavens blasting the city’s core, laying it waste. Debris flies over Rob’s head pushing everyone to dash to the stairs to the street below.
All would have been fine hadn’t Rob received the call. He can’t help himself, he has to find out how she is. Beth made it home, but she needs help. Rob is the only one she can count on to save her.
And the boyfriend? What happened to him? It doesn’t matter. All Rob cares about is Beth. He wants her safe.
Against the advice of his friends, Rob takes to the city streets in search of his friend, stranded by whatever had befallen her. Through the military maneuvers and the train tunnels he roams, fighting against exhaustion, overcoming perilous attacks from forces unseen. Rob’s only focus is Beth, saving her life and redeeming himself of what had torn apart their relationship in the first place.
The eventual outcome of the story rests on friendship. Rob Hawkins doesn’t have to think twice when it comes to Beth. As awful as their breakup was, he will still offer his life in order that she might live instead.
Isn’t that what true friendship is all about?
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Have you seen Cloverfield? What do you think about Rob Hawkins and his friendship with Beth?
Looking to God 
I can’t remember Rob’s story. A friend ‘misplaced’ the dvd and I’ve only seen the film once. I remember the giant lice though!
The giant lice were scary. Anything crawling on the wall above is scary!
Great movie – and to answer the other questions…I wouldn’t call Rob the typical “hero” or any of the movie “typical”. No, definitely not typical.
Definitely not the typical hero, Russell!
Never seen ” Cloverfield “, but ” heroes ” – Many times they don’t think of themselves as such. Rob Hawkins probably wouldn’t.
I remember watching the first season of Heroes, but after that, everything was a blur. Again, first season was amazing!
I was referring to heroes more in the generic sense than the specific, like TV series. Still, interesting. Heroes are often borne from ” ordinary ” people rather than people clad in spandex & meal, etc.
Ah, okay. My bad! Generic sense is good!
I appreciate the idea of sacrifice in friendship, despite past experiences. However, I think it is an overused trope in film when they make clear that “he (the heroine) is the only one who can save her (the mistress in distress)” Sometimes in movies I even wonder if the heroine is even the most qualified to save her. Now, there is a problem with my argument as well. In marriage, a lot of men do their best to protect their wives no matter what…it’s what true love is all about. However, the best way to protect someone is to call in a professional and offer emotional support. It’s really funny what stunts some of the normal guys in movies pull off. But, I haven’t seen ‘Cloverfield’. Does the director use this trope in a unique way? Do you think that Rob and Beth are seen as equals?
Whoops, I meant to use the qualifier “sometimes the best way…”
I must check out that movie!