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100 Most Memorable Film Characters Of All Time: Nominations 21 thru 40© Jason O'Brien
And then there were 40. Continuing on with my summer series revealing my choices for the 100 most memorable film characters of all time, the countdown now brings us to the next 20, numbers 40 through 21. As we get closer to the top of the list, we're getting into some of the most truly unique and unforgettable characters in film history.
40) Col. Frank Fitts in AMERICAN BEAUTY (Chris Cooper) As I mentioned before when discussing the character of Ricky Fitts from this stunning 1999 film, there were many memorable characters in AMERICAN BEAUTY, and one of the most unique was Ricky's father, Col. Frank Fitts, played by the always great Chris Cooper. When we first saw Frank, we see him as a bigoted Marine who can't stand the idea of homosexuals, and rules over his son with absolute power to try to keep him in line. By film's end, one of the biggest surprises involves his character, as we begin to see the torment inside him. When he finally is bold enough to admit to his true self, only to be dejected, the image is immensely powerful, as he walks into the pouring rain, only to be swallowed by the night. An absolutely wonderful performance of an unforgettable character. 39) Regan McNeil in THE EXORCIST (Linda Blair) The film that for me ranks as the greatest of all horror films still manages to shock and horrify now 30 years after its initial release. It manages to horrify because of all that the character of Regan McNeil goes through during the course of the film, the young girl whose body becomes inhabited by the Devil himself. Who can forget the images of Regan using a crucifix to stab herself? Or the chilling voice of Mercedes McCambridge coming out of this young girl's mouth saying the most vile things? It's a film image that one can never shake after seeing the film. 38) Jack Godell in THE CHINA SYNDROME (Jack Lemmon) Another wonderful Jack Lemmon performance was embodied in this topical late 70's film about problems at a nuclear power plant. Jack Godell works for the power plant, and ultimately puts his career and life on the line when he feels it's more important to expose the truth of what happened during a near meltdown of the nuclear reactor. As always, Lemmon brings an Everyday Man kind of presence to this role, as he struggles with wanting to do the right thing, and fight against the powers against him. It's an absolutely amazing sequence when he finally locks himself up inside the main control room, demanding to get the word out on live television via Jane Fonda's reporter and Michael Douglas's cameraman. |
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