Posted on 03/23/2013 5:46:51 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
I've always been interested in movies in which the main characters were upstaged by another character. One such movie as an example was "Giant" in which James Dean as Jett Rink completely overshadowed Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor as Bick and Leslie Benedict.
Rarely has a movie been so completely stolen by a character. While Hudson and Taylor had scenes together that bordered on producing yawns, Jett Rink completely fascinated the viewer. Even when Rink waved his hand goodbye, he did it in such a way that the viewers found riveting. Also fascinating was the transformation of the older Rink into a mean drunk. Another thing is that James Dean at least made the effort to sound like a Texan which Rock Hudson was apparently unable to do which is another reason why his Bick Benedict character was unconvincing.
“The Dark Knight” in which Heath Ledger’s Joker upstaged Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne/Batman.
To be fair, that could well have the point, however. The antagonist in a story is often more interesting than the protagonist.
Pretty much any movie with Christopher Walken.
The first Batman movie, in which Michael Keaton’s Batman/Bruce Wayne was upstaged by Jack Nicholson’s Joker.
Star Wars. Most character’s were cooler than Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker.
I thought Rodney Dangerfield and Ted Knight upstaged Murray and Chase in Caddyshack.
Though it is not unusual for the antagonist to do so, I thought Javier Bardem in Sky Fall stole the show.
Upstaged by R2D2 and the Wookies.
“The first Batman movie, in which Michael Keaton’s Batman/Bruce Wayne was upstaged by Jack Nicholson’s Joker.”
It’s much more fun to be the bad guy. You get to say, “I will kill you. I will kill you all!” Or, “You will rue the day.” Or, “No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die…what? I have to leave now, before the laser cuts him in half? But I’ll miss the escape…”
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The Sixth Sense......Bruce Willis was good but Haley Joel Osment stole the show.
In “Kick Ass”, Chloe Moretz stole the show as “Hit Girl”.
Well, I’m gonna disagree with you. James Dean is wonderful in the movie but Rock Hudson probably gave the best performance of his career and Elizabeth Taylor was incapable of being boring. Also, Mercedes McCambridge is fantastic as Rock’s weirdo sister.
The direction by George Stevens is so beautiful (my favorite scene is Dean’s climb up the derrick to the platform to view his little kingdom) and the set design is stunning. The house, which goes through multiple changes over the decades, is a character in and of itself.
And let’s not forget the score. A classic that simply improves with time.
Interesting topic, and it happens all the time, not just in movies but in life.
I can not think of an example at the moment (morning brain fog) but it normally happens when the lead character sells himself out on beliefs and some secondary character remains unassuming and true to his beliefs.
In the Matrix films, Keanu Reeves was upstaged by Agent Smith and also by various wooden stage props.
Any movie with Ben Afleck. The guy is wooden, can’t act his way outta a wet paper bag.
Samwise Gamgee and Gollum were both better than Frodo.
Joe Pesci in Goodfellas.
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