Characters can be intriguing in many ways; their complexity, their mannerism, simplicity, actions, figure of speech, dialogue etc. Very often the "bad guys" have taken the limelight, understandably so considering they are often equipped with both a complexity challenging the viewer's own morality as well as dark humour, witty dialogue and other intriguing qualities.
We all have our favorites, and I have many. Here are some of mine (with emphasis on some), and feel free to hit me up with yours!
Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II - played by Robert De Niro
Portraying the young Vito Corleone after Marlon Brando had immortalized the role in The Godfather Part I was always going to be a differcult task. Robert De Niro nailed it. Vito Corleone was one of thos quiet gangsters, whom did everything for his family. Never lost it, and always seemed to have the answer. His revenge in Italy on the mafioso who killed his father and brother is an amazing scene.
Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting in Gangs of New York - played by Daniel Day-Lewis
Never before has anyone sounded as cool as he did saying "Whoopsy-daisy". The character is well-written, well-acted... it's amazing to see The Butcher's different moods, especially in the scene where he sits talking to Amsterdam (DiCaprio) wrapped in an American flag
Amélie in Amélie - played by Audrey Tautou
Great heart, charming and the scene where she guides the blind man is as beautiful as a film-scene can be.
Alfredo in Cinema Paradiso - played by Philippe Noiret
Who wouldn't like to have this guy as an extra grandfather? A friend of mine suggested I dressed up as Alfredo for Halloween.. maybe one day I will.
Lars in Lars and the Real Girl - played by Ryan Gosling
Socially inept, this character is both tragic and hilarious. The comic aspect of his character is very well written, though, which makes this movie a very touching depiction of the life of a person deeply challenged on how to interact with the outside world. The "flower-throwing"-scene is one of the funniest scenes I've seen, with just about all the elements of it's comedy spot on.
Omar Little in The Wire - played by Michael K. Williams
One of the best characters in a tv-show, Omar Little was the homosexual gangster strolling around the hood armed with a shotgun and a love for whistling. How's that for a twist on the stereotypical tv-gangster?
Josh Lyman in The West Wing - played by Bradley Whitford
Together with other amazing characters from the show (Toby Ziegler, Leo McGarry and C.J. Cregg), Josh Lyman made this tv-show one of the best tv-shows ever. I've never been a fan of quick dialogue, but these characters made it work.
Phil Dunphy in Modern Family - played by Ty Burrell
One of the funniest characters in a sitcom these days, Phil is the dad who tries a little bit too hard to be the cool dad. Funny on so many levels. His lines are incredible, but Ty Burrell has to be given a lot of credit cause his delivery is brilliant.
Javier Rodriguez in Traffic - played by Benicio Del Toro
Breakthrough performance for Benicio Del Toro, and not without a reason. Javier is one of the most likable characters in this movie, add to that the amusing scene in the pool. Don Cheadle's character is also a great one in Traffic.
Mario Ruoppolo in Il Postino - played by Massimo Troisi
This rather slow character is introduced to us through a conversation with his father where he takes the term "beat around the bush" to a new level. The simplicity of his mind is both funny and beautiful. Troisi died just after finishing the movie, having gone against the doctor's advice on not shooting the film.
Sydney Fife in I Love You, Man - played by Jason Segel
The axe-man to Peter Klaven's bass-slapping in the movie that defined bromance. Sydney's lines, appearance and behaviour is all great fun, although one might not want the dude to spring a surprise-speech at your Wedding...
Chuck in Forgetting Sarah Marshall - played by Paul Rudd
Although a very small role, this character is funny in all off his scenes as the surf-instructor with a "slight" drug-problem. "You sound like you're from LAN-DAAAN!"
As mentioned, these are just a few of my favorites, and there are plenty of others I could have included, such as a few characters from tv-shows like The Shield, Sopranos, Band of Brothers, Mad Men, Six Feet Under as well as from the movies...
How about you? Agree/disagree? Any favorites of your own?
Great list! From the last few years one of my absolute favorites is Jim Parsons' character Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory. Before that Michael C. Hall as David Fisher in Six Feet Under. Oh - and Jack McBrayer's Kenneth Parcell in 30 Rock. Rainn Wilson's Dwight Schrute in The Office (US). Idris Elba as John Luther in Luther. And Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad. And so many, many more I must have forgotten at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad you like the list!
ReplyDeleteI've not yet seen Breaking Bad, Luther or 30 Rock, although I've been planning on watching Luther based on Idris Elba's performance in The Wire. Both the character Stringer Bell from The Wire and David Fisher was very close to being included here. They might as well have been.
Sheldon Cooper is a great character, no doubt! One of the best sitcom-characters. Period.