Counseling for Will Smith’s character in ‘Hancock’

Will Smith with the blockbuster "Hancock" leads off the new movie releases this holiday weekend — a lot of young men and women are going to be watching a character that’s in need of a little bit of counseling.

Jeffrey Roberson is a counselor and recovering alcoholic and addict who is somewhat of a hero himself to the people he counsels. "The Takeaway" asks Roberson to review "Hancock" from the perspective of a counselor.

Roberson says: "Because I have personal experiences with this character, ’cause I’m in recovery … and I do counseling in my community, the issue here is that, no matter how much trauma you’ve been through in your life, drugs and alcohol will always destroy … and this is really the central theme … he’s a superhero but he’s caught in the grips of addiction."

"The Takeaway" is PRI’s new national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

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