I can't think of any others with a more sweeping sense of corruption. His perversity is simply authoritative. And yet, he's probably the most memorable father in film history, as well.... Credit must be given to Towne, Polanski, and first and foremost to Huston for designing such an epically horrific character.
Then again, there's always Gerard Depardieu in "My Father the Hero"...
Happy Father's Day, and just remember that there's nothing better than a villainous paterfamilias to make one appreciate their own flawed daddies.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Worst Father in Film History
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7 comments:
Huston's Noah Cross is certainly one of the most evil characters in media history -- and one of the most memorable. A truly iconic performance. But as far as media's "worst dad" goes, my nominee would be Locke's father from TV's LOST, a guy who (a) seduces and deserts Locke's 15-year-old mother before Locke is even born, (b) cons the adult Locke out a kidney, and then later(c) pushes Locke out of an 8th floor window, paralyzing him. Hard to beat that.
Wow! That IS fairly gratuitous evil. I never got into LOST so I can't say, but if the remainder of the show is that brutal I may need to catch up.
Speaking of evil TV dads, what about Leland Palmer, too? Unless we accept the whole BOB possession thing as a distinct character. Either way, he's iconically predatory.
Whether BOB is considered something exterior to Leland or a self-generated (or child abuse-generated?) aberration, there is something innocent about Leland underneath it all which makes him redeemable (see his last scene in Twin Peaks, Season Two).
Can't say the same about Noah Cross or Locke's dad. Evil through and through.
True, although I always thought the BOB exorcism at the end of TWIN PEAKS was a bit of a cop-out. Still, definitely agreed that he's far more sympathetic than Cross or, from your description, the LOST daddy.
I would say Darth Vader was a pretty lousy dad.
As for Noah Cross, my film studies teacher pointed out that the young girl, as the product of incest, was "a dirty double-Cross."
As for Noah Cross, my film studies teacher pointed out that the young girl, as the product of incest, was "a dirty double-Cross."
Ah...ha!
actually, if you think about it, Noah and his family (the bibical Noah, that is) would have had to repopulate the world through incestuous relationships after the flood.
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