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This fourth installment of memorable title characters features a charismatic and intelligent serial killer cannibal, a lovable ogre, a brainwashed male model, a man who gets bitten by a radioactive spider, and someone who has command over a colony of rats. Yes, this is quite a little cinematic tour. Even if you don’t like all of these characters, you might still agree they are memorable. Let’s dig in!
Title Character #1: Hannibal (2001)
Though nowhere near as celebrated as The Silence of the Lambs, Ridley Scott’s Hannibal still deserves a fair chance, as the movie follows Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) and his life after the events of that 1991 classic. Dr. Lecter is living in Florence, Italy, and at first seems capable of blending in somehow, despite being a high-profile “FBI Most Wanted” figure. An oversight in the story? Perhaps. Then again, it may just be a testament to the title character’s amazing, chameleon-like ability to blend into new settings and entertain and disarm people with his keen intellect.
The story is not solely about Lecter living in some isolated bubble, however. It involves FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling (this time played by Julianne Moore), an FBI guy named Paul Krendler (Ray Liotta), and a child-molesting rich boy Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), a survivor of Dr. Lecter who was nonetheless severely mangled and left seeking revenge for the incapacitating attack.
Verger finds an opportunity to draw Hannibal out when Starling makes the news of a botched drug raid. Mason further harms Starling’s career by faking a letter attributed to Hannibal. Despite false evidence of wrongdoing in a frame job by Verger and Krendler, Starling is suspended from her role in the FBI (seemingly all but forced to resign) and further disgraced in the media (though she is not charged with first-degree murder for the botched drug raid).
Not enough intrigue and possible suspense for you? Okay, well, in addition to Lecter being tracked by Verger and Starling, he must also contend with Italy’s own Chief Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi (Giancarlo Giannini), who ends up in way over his head and ultimately dealt with harshly, much like his ancestors in the infamous House of Pazzi (so yes, Hannibal has a little bit of a historical tang to it, too, for that extra Italian zip).
As an interesting fact, Hannibal was co-produced by Scott, Dino De Laurentiis, and Martha De Laurentiis. It’s entirely plausible that Dino De Laurentiis, who produced the original Hannibal-related film, Manhunter, regretted not producing Silence of the Lambs, which was far more of a runaway hit. So, De Laurentiis went on to produce this film, its more-respected followup, Red Dragon, and the quirky Hannibal origin story prequel, Hannibal Rising. Though none of these films possess the iconic status of Lambs, no one could accuse Dino De Laurentiis of letting the character of Hannibal Lecter pass him by again.
Additionally, Hannibal was by no means a total flop in terms of box office success. In the UK, it was the 3rd-highest grossing film of the year, behind Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Enough people wanted to see Clarice and Hannibal reunite, wondering if she’d have a panic attack upon seeing the cannibal again, or if she’d be cool as a cucumber in some cat-and-mouse game. It turns out more like an awkward dinner scene, with some truly memorable gross-out moments that likely turned a few stomachs the wrong way (thus, for some, possibly tarnishing the film’s legacy).
Title Character #2: Jeepers Creepers (2001)
For those who can put aside director Victor Salva’s own creepy past, the character of Jeepers Creepers, or “The Creep” (Jonathan Breck) may still creep you out in some of the best cinematic ways.
The film starts off with brother and sister Trish and Darius Jenner (Gina Philips, Justin Long) innocently on a road trip to visit family. However, it seems maybe they should have stayed home, as the Creep is going out to have some fun with his own stylish ride. After getting harassed by the mysterious, hidden driver, the duo decides to track him down but eventually comes to find “him” is way more of an “it.”
Jeepers Creepers is simply a good horror movie, and it’s difficult to dismiss The Creep, which is a fascinating, engaging villain who reflects every person’s worry when they are out on a drive. The Creep has a commanding presence, a perplexing mythological status, and a way of creating trepidation and nervousness, which it seems to require for nourishment. Is the character as iconic as Freddy Krueger? Well, let’s just say it’s still a famous character, perhaps deserving of a place in horror’s permanent pantheon of villains.
Title Character#3: Shrek (2001)
In Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson’s Shrek, Mike Myers plays the relatable ogre who made fun of fairytales and kept self-aware storytelling relatively fresh. Basically, this movie does for fairytales what Scream does for horror films, (though with far less gore) and it’s a film that still has occasional rewatch value, despite the title character being nearly memed to death.
So what makes Shrek stand out? Putting aside Myers’ performance and his quirky relationship with Donkey (Eddie Murphy), you also have the enemy Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow), a vain and narcissistic power-seeker who complicates Shrek’s previously simple life. Farquaad never plans to build a city on top of Shrek’s swamp, so it’s not a direct critique of greedheads, but Farquaad nevertheless represents elites who always get what they want essentially using and manipulating those they look down upon (yes, there is detectable social messaging in Shrek, as silly as that sounds).
In 2001, Shrek was almost a blood transfusion machine to otherwise formulaic, stale, and dying Disney-like animations. It still manages to tell a love story but is never overly sappy. It’s a child’s movie that could be enjoyed by grownups, and who doesn’t like what Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) adds? Sure, so the movie continues to make fun of Fiona in various ways throughout its run-time, but she still comes across as a believable butt-kicker. That’s especially true after we learn more about her “curse” and how it augments her character’s story and likely gives her added strength and complexity.
Title Character #4: Zoolander (2001)
In Ben Stiller’s Zoolander, Stiller plays Derek Zoolander, who might just look too good for his own good. However, it’s not just his looks that come in handy, but his sheer lack of brains. The character is to be used as an easily-programmable assassin by fashion mogul, Mugatu (Will Ferrell), who sets up a plan to assassinate the Malaysian prime minister (Woodrow Asai) over plans to introduce progressive labor laws that jeopardize the exploitative, low-wage-obsessed fashion industry.
So, while Zoolander is begging to be dismissed as a dumb movie, it has both heart and more social awareness savvy than some would give it credit for. It’s also incredibly on-the-nose in its critiques of superficiality and the ego of beauty-obsessed celebrities. Zoolander’s story is the idea that we are all exploitable agents and pawns, to some degree, even if we are not directly linked to any assassination or kidnapping plots. In fact, perhaps ironically, Zoolander successfully deals with more unpleasant truths about society than some more serious films, which is a lowkey part of what makes it even funnier (if you think about it).
The movie also has Hansel McDonald (Owen Wilson), a new and hot male model who threatens to take Zoolander’s spot on the top. Though their competitive relationship is pure silliness, it’s tough not to take the bait if you appreciate this style of humor. Why would someone choose Hansel instead of Derek? Well, to a large degree, it’s simply that he’s new to the scene, and therefore has a sort of built-in trendiness that an already established model (like Zoolander) lacks. So, once again, you have a movie that makes fun of society’s vapid, trendy, throwaway culture that thinks freedom and personality are things you buy at the store. That being said, Derek and Hansel rescue the prime minister and save the day, and demonstrate that we can still have fashion and style while having ethics.
Zoolander also stars Christine Taylor, Milla Jovovich, Jerry Stiller, and Jon Voight, as well as a huge number of cameos (including David Bowie).
Title Character #5: Frida (2002)
In Julie Taymor’s Frida, iconic artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) goes through a lot. An accident leaves her in great pain, and she is depicted struggling with her pain (often reflected in her artwork) or undergoing complicated operations. Before her accident, Kahlo had dreamed of becoming a mural painter, inspired by the work of Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). Their relationship was constantly endangered by infidelities (though, to be fair, Rivera openly admitted he was a womanizer, right from the start of their tumultuous story).
There are some details Frida doesn’t delve into much, such as her teaching stint at the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado (“La Esmeralda”). Still, the film does look with commendable detail at her life, and even the ways in which the art world combined with the politics of the day. She would somewhat recover physically from the accident that originally threatened her life, but was never the same, suffering from various health problems and no doubt making her more of a fierce personality and cultural figure.
The film also stars Geoffrey Rush as Leon Trotsky, with whom the real Frida Kahlo had an affair, and who was actually risking his marriage over Frida at the time of his assassination by Stalinists. Want a movie that clarifies how not all communists or socialists were identical? This one does that! So, really, “Frida” is a highly historical film, as a dramatic depiction of complex social relationships and changing times.
Title Character #6: Spider-Man (2002)
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man obviously did not invent that character, but it did help him to grow rapidly as a plausible cinematic force. Though some prefer the sequel and its depiction of Doctor Octopus, Tobey Maguire still does a decent job of depicting Spider-Man as an “everyman” sort of superhero. Also, Willem Dafoe is great at playing Norman Osborn / Green Goblin, sometimes seeming hypnotized by madness.
This movie also really gives insight into how and why Peter Parker decides that he is Spider-Man. In other words, it’s not a confusing origin story, and we get a pretty strong idea of the character’s strengths and weaknesses, and how they relate to each other. For example, we know Parker might be smart enough to work on the same research project as Osborn, and that Osbourn respects the young man, but is also torn by his alter-ego, which makes for a schizo character that compels the story along.
Seeing Peter bitten by the spider on screen is memorable, as well as the decision to make shooting webs one of Peter’s actual spider powers (in the comic books, Peter Parker builds an artificial web-shooter device attached to his wrist). Of course, we also see the death of Parker’s uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), which demonstrates that not all violent crimes are particularly organized crimes, but can happen from low-level, even one-time offenders. It also is why Peter becomes Spider-Man, as violent crime is no longer just some abstract statistic to shrug off.
The origin story would be retold in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), and some no doubt might prefer that version. Still, there is something to be said about seeing Spider-Man rescue Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) in the original movie. After all, the 2012 film stars Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. Yes, Gwen was the original love interest of Spider-Man, but some people will always prefer Mary Jane.
Title Character #7: Willard (2003)
Glen Morgan’s Willard is another look at life’s rat race, as the title character, Willard Stiles (Crispin Glover). Willard is constantly dragged down life’s rotten path. He is belittled by his mother (Jackie Burroughs) at home and his openly hostile boss Frank Martin (R. Lee Ermey) at work. How much can Willard take? Willard’s not naturally inclined to hate and take revenge on people, either. He is pushed into it, ground down, humiliated.
Though Willard cares for his mother, he deals with the sadness of having no one else in life. His mother constantly derides him for not having a girlfriend, which is always an awkward topic. Think about it: Such conversations always hint at whether he can satisfy his sexual desires with a potential partner (and who wants to discuss that with their mother?). Willard also is regularly reminded of his father’s suicide, which is why he lives alone with his mother and how Frank Martin attained the family business. So, basically, everything about Willard has an atmosphere of tragedy, or, at best, longing for what might have been.
Though usually strong-willed and logical, Willard’s mother is sometimes prone to fits of barely-stifled rage against her son, accusing him of being weak and unable to provide for her. While Willard may lack charisma and social life, he has one friend at work, Cathryn (Laura Elena Harring ). Still, tragically, he does not consider her a true possible partner; he is led to be angry at himself for being a social klutz and constantly falling short.
However, what happens when he develops a strange affinity with rats, who seem to obey his will? Could things change for Willard once and for all? Might Willard introduce his strangely loyal rats to Frank Martin, to finally show him who’s boss? Maybe. This sad tale may be overwhelming for people who hate and fear rats, but it’s also a cautionary story about according people some basic respect and otherwise giving them what they are rightfully owed.
Title Character #8: Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
For some, Napoleon Dynamite misses the mark, but plenty think Jared Hess hit the comedy gold jackpot with this iconic and awkward character. The main character of the film, Napoleon Dynamite, is played by Jon Heder, who is actually sort of incredible in the role. In the story, Napoleon’s muted misadventures and odd qualities cause him to regularly be ridiculed by his peers and his uncle Rico (Jon Gries).
We get to see some of the daily lives of the other characters, too. For example, Rico is consumed by his faded glory dreams of almost making it into the NFL (and ostensibly, in his own mind, winning a Super Bowl, or at least some type of championship). Really, that he is so consumed by nostalgia is one of the funniest parts of the movie, if you really think about it.
Despite being handicapped by his disability, Napoleon Dynamite finds his way through life using his wit and desire to succeed and even has a few pals, Pedro Sánchez (Efren Ramirez) and Deb Bradshaw (Tina Majorino). As the story unfolds, we get to learn what a “Liger” is (and they actually can and do exist), learn about Rex Kwon Do from Rex (Diedrich Bader), and see Napoleon’s brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) find true love, and get one of the greatest dance scenes in film history.
Title Character #9: Ray (2004)
In Taylor Hackford’s Ray, Jamie Foxx does an incredible job in his role as iconic musician Ray Charles. It’s a movie that definitely won Foxx more attention. The film deals plenty with Ray’s personal problems such as addiction, his womanizing, and how Ray wants to escape from his tragic memory of the death of his brother George (Terrone Bell). However, the story also stresses the work ethic that had Ray Charles rise to the top of the musical food chain.
There are little pockets of Charles struggling with blindness, but Ray actually tends to emphasize how extremely well adapted he was to his condition. There are other key scenes about concertgoers simply having a good time. So, while Ray emphasizes the drama, it also looks at what worked in favor of Ray Charles, his creative spark moments, and the power of his performances and public image. Of course, you’ll also learn that, if you fall in love and marry someone who easily gives in to temptation, you’d better have the patience of Ray’s wife, Della Bea Robinson (Kerry Washington).
Title Character #10: Capote (2005)
In Bennett Miller’s Capote, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Truman Capote, who wrote the iconic novel In Cold Blood, about a family murdered in a small Kansas town. The film details his meetings with the accused killers, Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Richard “Dick” Hickock (Mark Pellegrino), and how he goes from almost being happy to having taken the assignment. However, his involvement becomes about more than simply getting pages worth of material, professional accolades, and more stardom.
The film reminds us that the Clutter family murders were a horrific discovery, and what happened in the house was a huge scandal in the 1950s and early 1960s (and, of course, beyond). The family’s home went from an ordinary farmhouse-looking place to a nightmare. At the same time, Capote sees Smith as a human being and seems to find Hickock more at fault for the murders.
Which title character do you like most from this list? Who should we include next time? Let us know in the comments!
