Underrated Movie Characters

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 1:31pm

One that leaps immediately to mind is Haven Hamilton from NASHVILLE. I think Henry Gibson's effort in creating him goes kind of undervalued and everyone kind of loses him amongst all the other amazing characters from that film.

Haven's an arrogant p***, a blind sheep, an elitist, and yet he also has a heart. He's not a caricature at all, but a human being who is letting his sadness and insecurities get the better of him and corrupt his soul. Amazing character.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 1:32pm

How is a character underrated?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 1:33pm

You know, just some characters you don't immediately think of when you think of a particular movie. Jasper from CHILDREN OF MEN would be another one.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 1:35pm

I always thought Melanie Daniels from THE BIRDS was a fascinating character.

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 1:35pm

Just go with it munk...it's a slow day...

Although I must take issue with Henry's performance--he was nommed for a Golden Globe and won a critics award--hardly underrated....

Now if you were talking JT Walsh in THE GRIFTERS...

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 1:39pm

well, it's just that when most people think of nashville, they'll immediately think of barbara jean or linnea reese.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 2:32pm

So Cruel, what evidence do you see of Haven's "insecurities" and "sadness"? How exactly have these corrupted his soul? I don't understand what you mean. Can you be a little more specific?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 2:34pm

it's obvious that he's extremely self conscious due to his clothing and his hairpiece. he takes pride in putting others down, which is something that a lot of insecure people do. he craves and wants attention from everyone but is constantly being shuffled aside.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 2:38pm

How is he being constantly shuffled aside? I can only think of one instance in the film.

Right, so he's self-conscious, okay, the really bad hairpiece and the over-elaborate clothes are pretty clear. I'm not sure where there's much evidence at all of him having a heart, or of being at all sympathetic. Can you cite some examples of his having a heart? Or say how he is at all "under-rated"? I'm still not sure I understand what you mean.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 2:39pm

You know who you never hear about?
Scarlett O'hara. Totaly underrated, IMO.
And that guy from that cannibal movie, what's name?...Hannibal Lecture or something?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 2:51pm

at the end, he rises to the occaision and does what's right.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 2:57pm

Sorry, I don't really see how the supposed "right"ness of what he does at the end shows that he really has a heart. Can you elaborate? And how exactly is what he does at the end "right"? And I still don't really see what makes him under-rated. And how is he being "constantly shuffled aside"? Sorry, I still don't understand what you mean.

[roquat]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 6:40pm

Returning to the thread...

I'll say Toni Collette's Iris from CLOCKWATCHERS. An underrated cast and underrated film in general, but Collette is enormously appealing playing a shy, withdrawn character without a lot of "tics"--you can always hear the gears in her mind working, even if she isn't doing a thing. Probably one of the best endings I've ever seen since SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 9:22pm

well, when he gets shot, he gets back on his feet and says "Ner ner. It'd be koo. It'd be koo. Help Barbara Jean. She needs helpica!"

[Night707]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 10:12pm

YOU KNOW WHO WAS UNDERRATED AND REALLY MADE ME SAD??? Sanaa Lathan in Love & Basketball. I heart that movie.