A few of my most favorite movie characters - in random order:
Melvin Udall- As Good as It Gets
Jack Nicholson is noticeably fantastic in this role. A semi-hostile yet brilliant best-selling novelist suffering with O.C.D. and crushing on his favorite NYC waitress. Who else could nail that character but Jack? He's got the anger, the crazy, the charm and the comebacks. He's perfect, which is probably why he snatched Best Actor.
Juno MacGuff- Juno
I can't be the only one who fell in love with Ellen Page as Juno, she's adorably amazing. I feel like Juno is Ellen Page or vice versa. I can't separate the actress from the character because her performance was flawless. Juno is a somewhat unorthodox teenager with razor-sharp wit who becomes pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption. She's blissfully sarcastic, immature in a mature way and cute as all get-out.
Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting- Gangs of New York
Daniel Day-Lewis brought to life this frightening character that you wouldn't turn your back on yet you kinda wanna hang out with. He has the grit and the grime and the devil in his eyes. And I guess I'll admit that I'm terrified of him when he is wearing his hat. Who knew a ruthless gang leader could be so intriguing?
Bridget Jones- Bridget Jones's Diary
I love herrrrrrrrrrr. I love Bridget Jones. She is the epitome of every girl at the most awkward point in her life. Clumsy, vulnerable, jaded yet hopeful - you route for her to come out on top in every mortifying situation she gets into. Like most, she relies on her best friends to get her through her lonely thirties and her daily disasters. Renee Zellweger made a fan out of me.
Clark W. Griswold- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
I really don't even know what to say here, you all know Chevy Chase's most famous character, Clark Griswold. A hilarious, bumbling family man with a heart of gold who always means well but seems to get screwed at every turn. I feel the need to rate the Vacation series in terms of my personal favorites (1 being the favorite) - 1. Christmas Vacation 2. Vacation 3. European Vacation 4. Vegas Vacation.
Holly Golightly- Breakfast at Tiffany's
Audrey Hepburn is unforgettable as a beautiful New York City socialite who, while hoping to marry one of the world's the richest men, realizes she is simply longing for a tangible life. Quirky and offbeat she wins your heart instantly. Truly one of the most beloved characters of all time.
Gilbert Grape- What's Eating Gilbert Grape
If you haven't seen this film I highly recommend it. I don't know if I love it so much because I watched it at such a pivotal point in my life or just because it's so damned good. Johnny Depp is hauntingly beautiful as Gilbert Grape. He's just a regular guy trying to have a life of his own but trapped in a dead end Midwestern town under the weight of his family. He feels obligated to take care of his mother and special needs brother but wants so desperately to break free. His spontaneous relationship with a girl passing through town (played by Juliette Lewis) shines a light into the depth of his character. You just want to take care of him.
Dr. Hannibal Lecter- The Silence of the Lambs
Oh, Sir Anthony Hopkins, you terrifying charmer you. I love him in this role. Lecter, like Bill 'the Butcher', is someone I'd love to be friends with but with a heart full of fear. His supreme intelligence makes him a superior villain, read as: you don't feel like he's just another scumbag murderer. Despite his taste for human organs I almost find myself routing for him.
R.P. McMurphy- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Coolest criminal ever. Another phenomenal award-winning role for Jack Nicholson. McMurphy is a tough-guy/wise-ass who has been in and out of the joint and is sent to be evaluated at the mental hospital. Figuring life on the ward would be a cushy piece of cake, he sits back and makes his friends, plays his cards and torments the head nurse. He quickly realizes he's misjudged and mismanaged the situation and unfortunately it's too late.
Rosemary Woodhouse- Rosemary's Baby
Mia Farrow is the most darling demon-carrier I've ever laid eyes on. Rosemary is a sweet, innocent young lady with good morals and manners. She is happy to be a housewife living in an upscale building in NYC with her actor husband, Guy. She's not all daisies and sunshine however and finds her moxie when the situation calls for it. Rosemary is thrilled when she becomes pregnant and just like any mother she will do anything for her baby - even when it means setting aside her lifetime beliefs and facing her worst fears. She's the perfect blend of princess and warrior - not to mention her wardrobe is to die for!!
Of course I have dozens more - such as Quint from Jaws, Bob Wiley from What About Bob? and Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird - but we would be here all day if I actually dug deeper. So tell me, who are YOUR favorites?
Melvin Udall and Clark Griswold are definitely up there for me, but Forrest Gump takes the cake :)
ReplyDeleteOoh I bet he's a popular pick! Good one.
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