As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen world, I must say that the naming conventions of these films are as intriguing as the stories they unfold.
In many films titled after a character, like “Forrest Gump” or “Aladdin”, you’d usually expect the story to focus on that individual. However, this isn’t always true. Sometimes, the film’s title refers to someone significant to the primary character’s journey, such as a lover, adversary, or even a cherished memory. Here are some timeless cinematic masterpieces that buck the trend of centering the title character as the main focus.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
One outstanding Studio Ghibli production, “My Neighbor Totoro,” narrates the escapades of sisters Satsuki and Mei, voiced by Dakota and Elle Fanning in Disney’s 2005 English version. These young explorers traverse an otherworldly forest filled with magic, where they encounter the lovable, mystical creature known as Totoro – a character that would later be recognized as Studio Ghibli’s emblem.
Abigail (2024)
Radio Silence’s contemporary reinterpretation of the 1936 vampire film, “Dracula’s Daughter,” titled “Abigail,” derives its name from Alisha Weir’s character, a young ballet dancer who proves to be neither as youthful nor as amiable as she appears. Interestingly, the narrative primarily focuses on Melissa Barrera’s character, “Joey,” and her band of professional thieves, who are initially taken aback and saddened upon discovering their target is an immortal bloodsucker they had been tasked to kidnap.
The Terminator (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger was prominently featured in the advertising and given main credit for the seminal sci-fi film, “The Terminator“, because he portrayed the titular cyborg, which ultimately cemented his status as an action legend. However, it’s important to note that James Cameron’s groundbreaking movie is centered around Sarah Conner (played by Linda Hamilton), the woman whom the cyborg was programmed to kill. Intriguingly, she is destined to become the mother of humanity’s future savior in a world overrun by machines.
Chasing Amy (1997)
First-time viewers of Kevin Smith’s celebrated movie, Chasing Amy, might be taken aback to discover that Joey Lauren Adams’ character, who becomes an improbable love interest for Ben Affleck’s Holden, is called Alyssa, not Amy. In the narrative, Amy doesn’t exist as a character but as an ex-girlfriend of the usually reticent Silent Bob (Smith), whom he mentions during a conversation to illustrate the film’s central theme: the pursuit of unattainable love.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Among the top-notch romantic comedies from its era, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” revolves around the character Peter Bretter, portrayed by Jason Segel. In an attempt to mend his heart after a breakup with Sarah Marshall, played by Kristen Bell, Peter decides on a Hawaiian getaway. To his dismay, he learns that Sarah is also vacationing at the same resort, and not only that, she’s sharing a suite right next door with her new lover, rock star Aldous Snow, played by Russell Brand.
Kill Bill (2003-2004)
In “Kill Bill,” Uma Thurman’s character, The Bride, holds an intense, justified grudge against her ex-boss. So much so that Quentin Tarantino titled his two-part revenge series after this villain. We don’t encounter David Carradine’s character, Bill, until “Kill Bill Vol. 2.” It isn’t until after The Bride has eliminated her four most detested adversaries that we finally see him receive the retribution he deserves.
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
In the 2013 film, titled “Oz the Great and Powerful,” James Franco portrays Oscar Diggs, who serves as the main character. This movie is a prequel to the 1939 adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel, “The Wizard of Oz.” You may remember that timeless tale centered around Dorothy (played by Judy Garland) and her adventure to find the wizard, in order to get back home after a terrifying twister transported her and Toto, her canine companion, to a magical realm.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The title of the Coen Brothers’ well-loved comedy, “The Big Lebowski,” is a nod to the classic film noir movie that influenced it, “The Big Sleep.” Additionally, the main character in the story, played by Jeff Bridges as an aging hippie named The Dude, refers to a Los Angeles millionaire who shares his legal name, Jeffrey Lebowski (portrayed by David Huddleston), affectionately as “Lebowski.
Coco (2017)
Among Pixar’s finest films and one that tugs at heartstrings more than most, “Coco” tells a captivating tale of aspiring musician Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) embarking on an otherworldly journey during the Day of the Dead. It isn’t until close to the end that we truly understand the immense role Miguel’s great-grandmother, Mamá Coco (Ana Ofelia Murguía), plays in this story.
Beetlejuice (1988)
It seems that Tim Burton and the team likely understood that Michael Keaton’s character, Betelgeuse (spelled “Betelgeuse” in the movie), would become the most iconic figure from the cherished horror-comedy film, despite having just 17 minutes of screen time. If not, the movie titled Beetlejuice might have been called House Guests or Terrified Tenants instead, as it primarily revolves around the story of the deceased Adam (played by Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis), who aim to frighten a new family away from their house.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Discuss with someone who appreciates great literature, and they might reveal that Jay Gatsby is the main character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s heart-wrenching tale of rise and fall, The Great Gatsby, that Baz Luhrmann turned into a blockbuster in 2013. However, it’s actually Nick Carraway (portrayed by Tobey Maguire in the Luhrmann film) who tells the story, making him more accurately referred to as the main character or protagonist.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
As a gamer, I find myself immersed in the gritty reality of “Saving Private Ryan,” where I step into the boots of Capt. Miller, tasked with a mission to locate and rescue the last surviving son of the Ryan family (portrayed by Matt Damon) amidst enemy territory. Steven Spielberg’s masterful war film uses a deceptive flash-forward at its outset, making you think that the elderly World War II veteran is actually my character, as we experience the harrowing action unfolding through his eyes.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
In the highly praised fourth film of George Miller’s Mad Max series, the main character, Mad Max (now played by Tom Hardy), is joined by Charlize Theron’s character Furiosa as his partner. Many devoted fans of Mad Max: Fury Road would likely concur that this groundbreaking action movie is rightfully dominated by the strong female character, Furiosa, who rightly received her own prequel spin-off titled Furiosa: A Mad Max Tale.
Tron (1982)
The iconic Disney movie, Tron, derived its name from a self-aware digital security system mirroring its creator, Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), that emerges in the digital realm. Notably, the main character is Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), Alan’s coworker, who unexpectedly finds himself transported to the digital world, where his video game abilities prove crucial for survival.
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)
In the timeless movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” Gene Wilder’s captivating portrayal of the enigmatic chocolatier often overshadows the fact that Charlie Bucket, played by child actor Peter Ostrum, is the actual main character. Interestingly, Roald Dahl’s original novel was titled “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” a title that director Tim Burton maintained in his 2005 adaptation.
Rebecca (1940)
In Alfred Hitchcock’s Best Picture Oscar winner, Rebecca, played by Joan Fontaine, the main character goes without a name in the narrative. The title role is that of the late wife of Maxim de Winter (portrayed by Laurence Olivier), our protagonist’s new husband. Despite her death, the memory of this woman lingers eerily over her grand estate.
The Exorcist (1973)
It’s quite possible that a lot of viewers might have been unfamiliar with the concept of an exorcist before watching William Friedkin’s acclaimed horror film, “The Exorcist.” In this movie, a non-religious actor, portrayed by Ellen Burstyn, seeks religious guidance to explain her daughter Regan’s (Linda Blair) troubling behavior. Consequently, they might not have recognized that Max von Sydow’s character, Father Merrin, who briefly appears at the start and close of the film to exorcise Regan’s demonic possession, is actually the main character named “The Exorcist.
Weekend At Bernie’s (1989)
In an unusual twist for a movie, the main character isn’t typically deceased throughout the film, but that’s not the case with Bernie Lomax (played by Terry Kiser) in “Weekend at Bernie’s” or its 1993 sequel. Instead of focusing on Bernie himself, who is indeed dead, the screwball comedy revolves around his employees, Larry Wilson (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard Parker (Jonathan Silverman), as they attempt to keep up a ruse that their boss is still alive while enjoying a few days at his beach house in the Hamptons.
The Invisible Man (2020)
In the ReelBlend podcast, Leigh Whannell shared how Blumhouse inquired about his ideas for reimagining Universal’s timeless Monster Movie, The Invisible Man. He revealed that he would narrate the tale from the perspective of the victim pursued by this invisible tormentor. This inspired him to create the narrative about Cecelia Kass (played by Elisabeth Moss), a woman who begins to suspect her abusive, seemingly deceased, tech genius husband is still alive and has mastered an invisibility technique to haunt her.
Laura (1944)
In the 1940s, the film “Laura” presents Detective Lieutenant Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews), who finds himself captivated by the enigmatic Laura, portrayed by Gene Tierney. However, there’s a twist: the woman he adores is the very same person whose murder investigation he’s conducting.
Heathers (1988)
In the iconic high school film “Heathers,” there are three characters named Heather who form the antagonistic group. Nevertheless, the main emphasis in this dark comedy lies on Winona Ryder’s character, Veronica Sawyer, as she joins forces with the unconventional J.D., played by Christian Slater, to mete out justice for the mistakes of the popular girls.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
The title of the iconic musical horror comedy film directed by Jim Sharman, known as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” is derived from one of its characters, Rocky Horror, created by Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). In this movie, however, neither the scientist nor Rocky Horror himself plays the main role. Instead, that title is shared by the couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), who seek shelter at Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s mysterious mansion during a stormy night.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
In one of Stanley Kubrick’s top films, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” the main character isn’t actually the star. Instead, he shares the limelight with a large group that includes George C. Scott as General ‘Buck’ Turgidson and James Earl Jones in his first film role as Lt. Lothar Zogg. Interestingly, Peter Sellers, a renowned comedian, plays three distinct characters in this hilarious Cold War satire.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
The narrative of Robert Zemeckis’ film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” revolves around the animated character of Charles Fleischer’s rabbit, who is trying to clear his name in a homicide investigation. However, it’s Bob Hoskins’ Eddie Valiant, a former private investigator, who plays a pivotal role in solving the mystery and proving the rabbit’s innocence. Interestingly, Eddie was once well-known for assisting cartoon characters in distress before a tragic event involving his brother occurred.
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
In the movie “Rachel Getting Married” directed by Jonathan Demme, Rosemarie DeWitt portrays Rachel Buchman, a woman on the verge of marriage to her music producer partner, Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe). However, the film is more about Rachel’s sister, Kym (Anne Hathaway), and how her battle with addiction for over a decade impacts her family dynamics, particularly during the weekend of the wedding ceremony.
The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
To set the record straight for those who may be uncertain: The character portrayed by Boris Karloff in the movie is not called “Frankenstein,” but rather the monster created by him, while Colin Clive plays the role of Victor Frankenstein. As a result, the title “The Bride of Frankenstein” might be misleading as it’s actually the female character (Elsa Lanchester) who is not seeking marriage from the scientist. Additionally, Elsa Lanchester’s character has limited screen time in the 1935 sequel to the movie adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel.
Waiting For Guffman (1996)
As a devotee, I can tell you that Christopher Guest, not only contributing behind the scenes but also stepping into the spotlight, portrays Corky St. Clair – an ambitious Missourian with a flare for musical theater. The elusive Mort Guffman, a legendary Broadway producer, is rumored to appear and witness Corky’s original production, “Red, White and Blaine,” sending the entire team into a whirlwind of anticipation and panic.
Dr. No (1962)
Isn’t it somewhat amusing that the first significant James Bond film is named after the villain, portrayed by Joseph Wiseman? Nevertheless, this fact didn’t hinder Sir Sean Connery from shining brilliantly in his debut as MI6 agent 007 in the movie Dr. No, making it clear that he was undoubtedly the main star of the film.
Kangaroo Jack (2003)
In the movie titled “Kangaroo Jack“, our protagonists, Charlie (Jerry O’Connell) and Louis (Anthony Anderson), unintentionally misplace $50,000 when they forget to take it out of a coat they put on a kangaroo before it jumps off. However, this Australian marsupial isn’t named “Jack,” but he seems to bear a striking resemblance to a man named Jackie Legs, a friend of Charlie and Louis from the past, which is how the movie derives its somewhat inappropriate title.
The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Joel and Ethan Coen’s “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” a remarkable Western movie on Netflix, presents an anthology of oddball stories from the Old West. The principal character, the singing cowboy named Buster Scruggs, portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson, appears only in one of the film’s six parts.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Prior to “Avengers: Infinity War”, no comic book film had assembled as many superheroes into a single narrative. However, it’s essential to note that this grand tale isn’t primarily focused on the costumed crusaders themselves, but rather the villain they are trying to thwart: Thanos, portrayed by Josh Brolin.
Searching For Bobby Fischer (1993)
Among the films based on Chess champion Bobby Fischer, “Pawn Sacrifice” from 2014 is an option you might consider. However, unlike many others, “Searching for Bobby Fischer” – starring Max Pomeranc as a gifted young chess prodigy – is not among them.
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2024-09-16 18:38