Insanity Runs in My Family...It Practically Gallops! - Oscar Week--Day # 6 Fictional Characters in Movies

Friday, February 20, 2009 - Oscar Week--Day # 6 Fictional Characters in Movies

Earthling's Top Ten Favorite Fictional Characters from a Movie

You have to love not just the actors, or the movies, but the characters themselves. So I compiled a list of some of my favorties. By the way, these are just male characters..because they are much more interesting! Also, these are just movie characters specifically, not those from books (which is why Rhett Butler, Peter, Caspian, Edmund, Mr. Darcy, etc are missing--because Ilike them for their books AND movie characters.) or tv shows (which is why Adam Cartwright isn't on here).

Harry Morgan in To Have and Have Not

Played by Humphrey Bogart

"You know what you're getting into. It's gonna be rough."

Okay, he is the captain of his own boat. That is a big winner in my eyes. He also wears a cool hat. That tends to win me over as well. However, I also love the change this character goes through during this movie. He's a cynic, world weary, only out to help himself man. By the end, he's changed--and thankfully, it is a very subtle change. You don't really see it that much in him, but you see it subtly in his actions. And isn't that how most people change?

Erik in The Phantom of the Opera

played by Gerard Butler

"Now, let it be war upon you both!"

I thought the Phantom was just grand in the book. But in the movie he can sing, and that just makes him ten times more better. This Phantom isn't the evil, creepy, deranged stalker that we often see depicted, most famously in the earlier silent film. Instead, the Phantom is more tragic. He's the misunderstood, mysterious, Byronic figure--and that is a figure that I love.

Walter Eckland in Father Goose

Played by Cary Grant

"Let me tell you I am not a father figure. I am not a brother figure or an uncle figure or a cousin figure. In fact, the only figure I intend being is a total stranger figure. "

Sometimes characters in comedies lack depth. Not so here. Walter is a complex man--underneath the humor. While he may rely too much on his bottle and lives alone on an island, he's also a good man who has to win the hears of seven little girls--which of course alone makes him incredibly endearing.

Geoff Carter in Only Angels Have Wings

Played by Cary Grant

"Did you ever hear of the word 'trust'?"

I absolutely love how stoic this character is. He's a pilot, and he runs an air service in South America. Geoff seems like a heartless man but he isn't--he's a man who has gone through a lot of tragedy and hides behind his stoic attitude. Of course, when these tragedies come back to haunt him, he has to face them--whether he likes to or not.

T.R. Devlin in Notorious

Played by Cary Grant

"I knew her before you, loved her before you, only I'm not as lucky as you."

In this dramatic thriller, Grant plays Devlin, a US spy. Of course, that is exciting enough--I mean, considering Grant was who James Bond was made for, you'd think he'd be able to do spy pretty well, huh? Well, he certainly does, but also throws in some amazing angst as the conflicted spy who falls in love with a woman he can't--and shouldn't--have. Devlin is a tough cookie--sometimes borderline cruel--but we see that he does have a heart somewhere, after all.

Joe Brady in Anchors Aweigh

Played by Gene Kelly

"Close your eyes... and try to think of the most beautiful place you've ever with greenest grass and the singingest birds and the shiningest sun."

This street wise sailor is on furlough after being awarded a medal due to his courageous behavior during the war. During his break, he comically deals with his tag-along buddy (played by a young Frank Sinatra), an adorable little boy who wants to run away and join the Navy too, and the boy's young pretty aunt. He has no idea what is in store for him when these three characters bond and bring out the best in him.

Robin Hood in the Adventures of Robin Hood

Played by Errol Flynn

"I'll organize revolt, exact a death for a death, and I'll never rest until every Saxon in this shire can stand up free men and strike a blow for Richard and England."

Flynn will always be THE Robin Hood for me. He's charming, cute, witty, and wields a sword better than I wield a fork (that's saying something.) Robin in this movie is just your typical swashbuckler--and oh how glorious that is!

John Thornton in North and South

Played by Richard Armitage

"I don't want to possess you! I wish to marry you because I love you!"

Thornton is just amazing. After a tragic and hard childhood, his one goal in life as a young man was to take care of his mother and little sister. Now that he has reached that goal he has become a wealthy man, and a powerful one. Yet Thornton has to overcome some of his pride and learn how to handle the power that is given him. He is truly a man of honesty and integrity.

Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront

Played by Marlon Brando

"You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. "

Terry is a young dockworker/ ex prize fighter who gets caught up in the mob. The theatrical release subtitled this movie "the redemption of Terry Malloy" and that could not be put better. Terry must choose between the mob and his family--which would guarantee his safety--or putting himself in danger and facing the truth. Of course, this leaves Terry as a very conflicted man wanting to do the right thing but not sure if he can. There is nothing more powerful than watching Terry struggle with this. And remember, he coulda been a contender!

Han Solo in Star Wars

Played by Harrison Ford

"Never tell me the odds!"

How can you not love this guy? He's a cowboy (dresses like a gunslinger!), pirate, smuggler, general, and criminal in one. He's kind and tender, but he can whip out a blaster and shoot you dead if you get in the way. We love him because he's tough and has guts and a gun. We love him because, well, face it, the Millennium Falcon is the chick magnet of all chick magnets. But most of all, we love him because he's a scoundrel.

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Monday, February 23, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CrossView

No Mel Gibson from Lethal Weapon? Ok, if it had the language deleted. =P

Gerard/Phantom- Oh yeah! He seemed like he just needed a hug.

Cary/Goose- Oh yeah! Too funny! Such a loveable scoundrel!

Han/Star - He was always my favorite and I saw the movies when they 1st came in theaters. I rode my dinosaur there.

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Thursday, April 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by carygrant19