100 Most Memorable Film Characters Of All Time: Nominations 11 thru 20

16) Ron Kovic in BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (Tom Cruise) Another true life character, Tom Cruise gave what I feel is still his greatest performance as Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone's hard hitting 1989 drama of the Vietnam War. Ron is another character whose life is presented in such detail in the film that we feel we have truly seen a full life unfold by film's end. At the beginning of the film, Ron is an all-American boy, eventually growing into a teenager fascinated by the idea of fighting for his country, in the long tradition of fighting men in his family. When he finally goes to Vietnam, he discovers that this war was not like his father's war, as he ends up participating in the slaughter of innocent civilians, and one day accidentally killing a fellow soldier in a friendly fire incident. He is finally shot and wounded, paralyzed for the rest of his life. He returns to a country that doesn't believe in the war, as he ultimately joins the anti-war movement. There are so many powerful scenes in this film ... from Ron's first time back home after he's been paralyzed in a tender moment being embraced by his Dad, or when he gets drunk one night, lying in his bed, imploring his father "who's ever going to love me?" To his journey to Mexico, to his triumphant night addressing the nation at the Democratic National Convention, Ron Kovic was a man who had to deal with so much tragedy and disallusionment, and ultimately managed to find himself again.

15) Jake LaMotta in RAGING BULL (Robert De Niro) Perhaps this will always be known as Robert De Niro's signature performance, and for good reason. De Niro won an Oscar for his portrayal of real life boxer Jake LaMotta in Martin Scorsese's 1980 film. LaMotta was a man filled with so much rage, that not only spilled out in the boxing ring, but also into his personal life. It's tragic to watch as LaMotta descends further and further into hell, especially in his relationship with his brother, played by Joe Pesci. One of the most tragic scenes is watching LaMotta as he confronts his brother, thinking he has had an affair with his wife. From that opening image of LaMotta alone in the ring to the somber strains of Cavellaria Rusticana,

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