Favourite Movie Characters

Napier's News tagged me with this meme, and I have to say I find it a really difficult list to make. The main reason for this is probably the fact that I've never really thought about it before. I can make lists of favorite movies, favorite directors, favorite actors, favorite soundtracks, sure, but this is new ground for me. So here are some favorite characters, but I would not at all say it's the definitive, all-time list, since I'm sure I missed some very important people. This is more of a "how I'm feeling right now" kind of list. No particular order. Also I guess I watch a lot of movies with white people. Huh.

Tank Girl (Lori Petty) from Tank Girl

Though her character changed a lot from comic to screen, I still really dig the movie version. She's funny and super tough, with a rad fashion sense and hair that defies logic. Plus she's got a totally badass tank. I mean really, that's the only reason one should need.

Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) from Singin' in the Rain

If pressed, I'd probably list him as my number one favorite character, which is fitting considering this is my favorite film. Cosmo is one of the main reasons I fell in love with the movie, with classic musicals in general, and with Donald O'Connor. He's one of those great best friend characters whose constant stream of witty side comments could get lost amidst the main characters' issues if they weren't so much better than anything else being said. He's also handsome, instantly likable, and a phenomenal dancer. His slapstick and gymnastic skills continue to amaze me. Every time he's not onscreen I wonder what he's up to, proving his lasting impression on my mind. Also if he was real I would probably date him.

Walter Mitty (Danny Kaye) from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Another book to screen character who changed a fair amount in translation, but I can't help still really loving the movie version. A lot of it I'm sure has to do with Danny Kaye's amazing performance. Mitty is a mild-mannered pushover, constantly imagining scenarios in which he can be courageous, romantic, intelligent, and beloved. I have always found daydreamers very endearing, and he is one of the best.

Belle from Beauty and the Beast

When I was a kid, this was my favorite movie, and Belle was my role model. She's a bookworm and an outcast, and doesn't apologize for it. She is independent to the point of stubbornness, and fights fiercely for those she loves. Plus she gets to wear lots of pretty dresses!

El Mariachi (Carlos Gallardo and Antonio Banderas) from the Mariachi Trilogy

He's got bewitching musical ability and a guitar case full of guns. Plus he becomes a Man With A Past On A Quest For Vengeance and that's always something I like. I'm more into the Banderas version, who's got more of an edge and better special effects, but it's just a great character overall.

Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) from Brick

Ok so admittedly his incredible good looks are a factor, but also Brendan is a super awesome character no matter what he looks like! I'm not that superficial! He's a high school misanthrope who's too smart for his own good and talks like he's a PI from the 40's. He stops at nothing to solve the murder of his former love and successfully takes down several local drug dealers in the span of a few days. He's resourceful and cunning, and doesn't take shit from any of the jerks he's forced to deal with.

Columbia (Little Nell) from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

She's so adorable! She's one of the most sympathetic characters in the film, I think. Plus she has one of my favourite lines: When Frank has unveiled his sex-slave creation Rocky, his assistants crowd around and exclaim what a wonder he is (a testament to your genius, etc). Columbia leans over, pauses, and matter-of-factly states, "He's OK!". Love it.

Harold (Bud Cort) from Harold and Maude

He's imaginative, macabre, and unwilling to change who he is to adapt to anyone else's projected image of him. He's also quite funny, in an idiosyncratic way, and very gentle. I've always felt we'd be friends if we met in real life.

Macaulay Connor (James Stewart) from The Philadelphia Story

Snarky and well-read, Macaulay Connor takes self-satisfying pride in his working-class position and pursuit of literary creativity. He's outspoken and outraged, but willing to see beauty in the things around him. He can be quite poetic when he wants to be. This is also the role that really made me fall for Jimmy Stewart, as it makes good use of his mesmerizing drawl and ability to wear three-piece suits so well.

Margot Tenenbaum (Gwyneth Paltrow) from The Royal Tenenbaums

Wes Anderson films are filled with so many incredible characters, but I think Margot is my favourite. There's something so intrinsically sad about her (even more so than everyone else in this movie), that I can't help but feel for her. She's mysterious and cold, but not cruel. I found her sense of failure and apathy at such a young age oddly relatable. She is part of one of the best music-centered scenes of any film (walking in slow motion to "These Days"- it's just perfect). And for some reason I really like when a character wears the same thing all the time.

Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from the Star Wars Trilogy

The smirk, the quips, the rough-around-the-edges-ness, the mad piloting skills... does this one really need an explanation?


Honorable Mentions

The Bowler (Janeane Garofalo) from Mystery Men





Lane Meyer (John Cusack) from Better Off Dead




Gail (Rosario Dawson) from Sin City





Randall Graves (Jeff Anderson) from Clerks I and II




Simon Grim (James Urbaniak) from Henry Fool and Fay Grim



And I'm not sure who's done this already, since I think it's been around for several weeks, so anyone who wants to continue should go ahead! I guess I'm tagging you.