Both Wings at Caffeinated Joe and Chick at Trash Aesthetics have done the "10 Favorite Film Characters" meme that's been floating around from blog to blog lately. Neither tagged anyone, but I thought I'd jump on board with this one anyway.
The beauty of this meme is that it is basically wide open. You're not thinking of the best actors, the most influential, etc. - it's essentially 10 faves off the top of your head. Almost a train of consciousness experiment. The 10 I name now will not be the same that I would name tomorrow - as Chick says in his post, "The trick was to just go with first thoughts, if I started to refine and cultivate a list, oh boy, that would be another story altogether!' So, without further ado, here goes.
Riff Randell (P.J. Soles in Rock 'n' Roll High School)Teenage rebellion has never been more fun. Soles was the perfect delinquent teen in both Halloween and Carrie, and here she is no less brilliant. If all movies had The Ramones and P.J. Soles in them, I'd be perfectly happy.
Reggie (Reggie Bannister in Phantasm)
Everyone's favorite guitar playing ice cream man. Something about this pony-tailed dude was endearing and intriguing. In my imaginary world he won the Oscar for best supporting actor for this role.
Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein)
"My grandfather's work was doodoo! I am not interested in death! The only thing that concerns me is the preservation of life!" (jabs scalpel into leg)... classic.
Tony Rivers (Michael Landon in I Was a Teenage Werewolf)
Landon always played his characters with such heart. What a refreshing quality brought to the genre of B movie horror!
Angel (Kristy McNichol in Little Darlings)
"Angel Vs. Farris. Who ever loses there virginity first wins!" - a typical teenage romp was brought to another level by the talents of Tatum O'Neal and Kristy McNichol. Could've been forgettable and trite - instead, it's thirty years later and I'm still talking about it.
Tony Manero (John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever)It's so iconic that I don't feel the need to explain. Suffice it to say, this is not watered down disco garbage like so many films of the era that were cashing in on the craze. This film had teeth and Travolta blew our collective minds.
Richie Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson in The Royal Tenenbaums)
Similar to his role in Bottle Rocket - a sad likeable figure and a perfect balance to brother Owen's extremes.
R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
Has there ever been a role that fit an actor more perfectly? Okay maybe James Spader as asshole Steff in Pretty in Pink.
Solange Beauregard (Camille Keaton in Cosa avete fatto a Solange?)
Hardly any dialogue, almost no screen time - truly a case of quality over quantity. Camille looked darkly tortured, troubled, disturbed, yet not over the top... is that even possible? Perhaps she was going through troubles of her own during this period and the reality showed through. Whatever the case, Keaton left her mark, albeit brief, in this giallo classic.
Matt Helm (Dean Martin in The Silencers)
Never, in the entire history of planet earth has there ever existed a mortal being who exhibited this degree of cool. This is bionic cool. Take notes and stand in awe.
*****
Since I wasn't actually tagged, I won't tag anyone. However, if you choose to try this meme, let me know - I'd be interested to see what yours looks like.
