5.
Willy Wonka - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
As a kid growing up, one of my favorite books had to be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The story of a kid who wins a ticket to visit a dream chocolate factory was enough to make me read every novel by Roald Dahl. As much as I could relate to Charlie, Willy Wonka was the character that captured my imagination and ultimately made the movie for me. From his first appearance in the movie, to the oddball who gives the tour of the factory, to his explosion at Charlie and his grandfather, Willy Wonka is the idol for every kid watching this movie.
4.
Jack Campbell - The Family Man
Jack Campbell is the guy that every guy can relate to. Even at the age of 20, I can already appreciate the choices Jack has to make throughout the movie and his reasoning behind them. As Jack changes from the man who values money and his job before all else to the man who puts his new found family as a priority, every guy out there gets a little soft inside. Sure its a feel good movie, and sure its supposed to tug at your emotions, but Jack Campbell is the guy I want to be in 15-20 years.
3.
Trent Walker - Swingers
Going from the guy most men would like to be, to the guy most guys would like to have as a friend is Trent Walker. Trent's best buddy, Mike, has become severely depressed after a breakup with his longtime girlfriend. We've all been there, we all know the heartbreak and depression that goes along with a breakup; but Mike perhaps takes it too far. The breakup has consumed Mike's mind and instead of leaving him to sort it out on his own, or even just making a small effort to cheer him up, Trent makes turning Mike's life around his priority. This is the ultimate friend, sacraficing his own agenda for the sake of his friend. I know there are several movies that show true friendship, but none in a context better than I can relate to. Trent is not only the friend you want, but the friend most people want to be to their buddies.
2.
Javier Rodriguez Rodriguez - Traffic
In a film with no true starring role, Javier stands out as a character woth admiring. As a non-corrupt cop in Mexico (a rarity), Javier takes his partner, Manolo, under his wing, and does all he can to look out for him. Javier's predicaments throughout the movie seem all too familiar for most of us even though no one here is a narcotics officer in Tijuana. The eternal debate between loyalty and honesty is presented to Javier in the form of secret cartel information, and Javier's best values -- his honesty and his loyalty -- enter direct conflict in this corrupt environment with temptation within reach at all times. His calm and cool demeanor opposes the intensity of those around him, and his values constantly clash with nearly everyone he deals with. Its people like Javier that show that even in bad environments, there are still good people.
1.
Derek Vinyard - American History X
Derek Vinyard is someone that I have nothing in common with at the outset of this film. Given that fact, he does an amazing job getting the viewer on board with his reason for being a neo-nazi. You feel his hate, anger, and genuine hate of the minorities that he feels are ruining America. This is one of those bad apples, one of those people who are so set in his or her ways that they won't even listen to an argument opposing them. When Derek makes his transformation from his neo-nazi lifestyle, it is not only unforeseen, but completely believable. Watching Derek in prison, one gets the feeling that Derek has honestly changed his mindset without becoming someone else. Its still Derek, but his mind has been opened. Watching Derek Vinyard brings out so many emotions: anger, hate, concern, hope, joy, sympathy, compassion...too many to name. Derek shows that its never too late to change, and that we all need open our eyes to see.
