The Biggest Losers in Film

[EZM22]

I've just started thinking about those movie characters that are so undeniably pathetic, you can't help but laugh at them or feel sorry for them... even if later in the film they turn out to be nice guys, or successful or whatever, they are those characters who, if you knew them in real life, it'd probably be very uncomfortable.

The one guy that made me think about this topic is...

Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) - The King of Comedy
Delusional, overbearing, no-talent psychotic, this guy is so far gone he can't even see that no one wants anything to do with him - not Jerry Langford, or the bartender he hits on, or everyone else. He's also downright unfunny and an annoying shit, but you can't help but feel sorry for the poor bastard.

Others...

Jerry Lundergaard (William H. Macy) - Fargo
There's nothing worse than watching this stammering fool get in way over his head on a stupid kidnapping plot, and continously screw things up so badly, yet thinks he still has it all under control. The sad fact is, Jerry's a moron, he has a going-nowhere job as a used car salesman, and everyone walks all over him, especially his ball-busting father-in-law.

Dave Spritz (Nicolas Cage) - The Weather Man
One of those guys you'd probably punch in the face if you hung around him too long, Dave Spritz may have good intentions, but with his penchant for always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, he screws up royally more than once and alienates his entire family. All while working a job that gets him no respect from anyone and frustrates his sorry life to no end.

Anyone have any other "favourite losers"?

[Antonio141]

Quiz Kid Donnie Smith (William H. Macy) in MAGNOLIA

[outsyder]

Yeah, William H. Macy seems to have really been typecast like that.

There's also Boogie Nights and The Cooler, off the top of my head.

[Koroshiya1]

I really like movies about losers who become winners.
Oh Daisu (Min-sik Choi) in the beginning of Oldboy
Randy "The Ram" (Mickey Rourke) in the Wrestler
Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacy) in American Beauty

[Potter82]

Travis Bickle - Taxi Driver
Sort of a loser in that he seems hopelessly socially inept (see; first date porno movie idea) and engages in elaborate fantasies of revenge. He's so estranged from everyone else its just sad. Strangely his actions at the end make him less of a loser in my opinion ... not sure why

Gomer Pyle - Full Metal Jacket
You feel sorry for him at first as he seems so pathetic and just can't do anything right... then he changes and becomes less of a sad sack and more of a terrifying SOB

Fredo Corelone - The Godfather, The Godfather II
The black sheep of a mob family, Fredo fucks up repeatedly, eventually badly, though all his fuck-ups seem to be driven by an attempt to measure up to his father and brothers, which makes it even more pathetic. I couldn't help but feel sort of bad for the guy, especially by the end of II...


Randy "The Ram" (Mickey Rourke) in the Wrestler


Seconded

[athf1980]

Kip-napolean dynamtie

[izzy2024]

Macy really does own this thread....but in a good way. I think?

First thing that came to mind when I read the title was Little Bill from Boogie Nights.

[Highspeed]

http://www.prophecycommunications.com/hip-hop4blackunity/images/JamieKenn.jpg

[Koroshiya1]

My all time favorite loser--The Dude!!!
But he's awesome...so much of a loser that hes almost not one haha.

[athf1980]

Sid-ice age series