More Honorable Mentions
- Tony Manero - Saturday Night Fever
- Luke Skywalker - Star Wars
- Darth Vader - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Jonathan Nash - A Beautiful Mind
- Edward Norton in Fight Club
- Jake Gittes - Chinatown
- Oskar Schindler - Schindler's List
I have never particularly been the biggest fan of Raging Bull, but I surely love the characters in this film, especially Robert De Niro in his second Oscar-winning performance. Putting on 80 pounds to play this person, you start to feel as if he's a real cocky but nice person. Later on, you notice how he completely slips into a jealous state, as to the point where it completely destroys his family. He's strong, powerful, moving, and one to be fascinated with.4. The Dude Lebowski - the Big Lebowski
Honorable mention also goes to Marge Gunderson for Fargo. Now, who doesn't like the dude? He's the guy you feel bad for, but you realize not to care, because he doesn't care. The Coen brothers truly take care in terms of making him feel like the coolest person in the history of the 90s. You want to learn so much more about him. Though you learn lots about the Dude anyways, you wonder more about him. What movies does he like? Is he nostalgic? How did he and Walter meet? All of that doesn't matter however. The Dude is funny, really funny, and he has even funnier on his side, Walter Sobchak, played by John Goodman. The Dude is also incredibly quotable, with lines like, "You human paraquat!" or "That rug really tied the room together." One thing we must all take for granted though: The Dude abides.3. Atticus Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird
No person is more straight to the point than Atticus Finch. He looks bland at first look, but soon you realize he has lots to say with few words. He's poor, but he doesn't care. Finch loves his children, Scout and Jem, and makes sure everybody is safe. Atticus is a curious character because you realize he's one of the greatest heroes in the history of films. He goes against all that discriminate the African Americans to do what is truly right. Full of inspiration and never to bring you down, Atticus Finch is one of the greatest characters in the history of film. Especially giving credit to his closing monologue; nothing is more chilling than that scene.2. Travis Bickle - Taxi Driver
Now Travis Bickle is a character I feel completely sorry for. He lives such a crummy life, returning to the streets of New York after the Vietnam War. Writer Paul Schrader characterizes Bickle as if he's lost in his own world, and the only way out is by conquering his greatest demon: his insanity. You always wonder if he's going to crack, much like Norman Bates, but he seems so calm, collected, and cool the judgement is always so difficult to be made. Though he visits pornographic theaters and is horrifyingly obsessed with guns, you realize that Travis Bickle is truly a good guy. He makes small-talk with a political candidate, is real smooth with women, and goes to the greatest extremes to save a teenage prostitute from an abusive pimp. Not only is this Robert De Niro's best performance, but this is the best character I have ever seen fleshed by Martin Scorsese. Perfect.1. Charles Foster Kane - Citizen Kane
I'm sorry that I have to be so obvious for this choice, but there is simply no better choice than Charles Foster Kane. He is perfect. Orson Welles takes such great care of this character, and you simply feel envious of him. Not Welles, but Kane. This character felt as if he was larger than life. He had something that everyone wants: fame and fortune. I say "had" because he isn't primarily characterized by himself, but by his close friends and ex-wife Susan Alexander, which is arguably a more important perspective to understand. Kane looks happy, but you can see that he's slipping into a downward spiral. Whether it be his eccentric ego of him running for governor, or his stages of marriage with President's niece Emily Norton, you forget to realize - this is all a story about a word, not a character, which is most phenomenal. Welles, may you rest in piece. You did damn well with this character.Wow, this took a while to type. Thankfully this is over, and I hope you enjoyed this. Maybe I could do a whole list of honorable mentions.
