They can’t all be winners. Some cinematic papas are mean as snakes, but the reasons vary. For instance, some have witnessed war and failed to leave the conflict behind them. Others are sick, very sick, even murderous.
But what links them is a serious misevaluation of one’s own priorities. For some, their family ranks second, predominately due to a profession. But then there are those who arguably don’t even factor in their family when it comes to decision time. There are levels, but all the following men have dropped the ball when it comes to parental duties. But at least they’re played by some stellar performers.
20Bull Meechum in The Great Santini (1979)
Arguably the definitive example of the bad dad movie,The Great Santiniis a heartbreaker, and it alone is a testament to the vast talent present within Robert Duvall. Unfortunately, save for being referenced by Bill Burr onConan O’Brien Needs A Friend, the movie has been mostly forgotten.
Duvall plays Lt. Col. Wilbur “Bull” Meechum, whose fellow marines bestowed him the title “the Great Santini.” But Bull can’t differentiate between who he’s supposed to be during times of conflict and times of peace. When he’s home with his family, he’s cold to his wife, hard on his daughter, and absolutely brutal with his son. Before long the audience, not unlike Bull’s son, realizes it’s all a matter of a man coming to grips with the fact his prime is behind him.
19Anakin Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
One of the greatest sequels of all time,The Empire Strikes Backis an outright masterpiece, regardless of one’s affinity for the science fiction genre. And, naturally, Darth Vader is one of cinema’s most iconic and ultimately complex characters.
But, in the second film of the original trilogy, Vader has yet to reform in any discernible way. Looking into his son’s eyes with a smile wouldn’t come untilReturn of the Jedi, which was quite the switch from having a father slice off his own kid’s hand with a laser sword.
RELATED:Here’s Why The Empire Strikes Back Is Still the Best Star Wars Movie
18Jack Torrance in The Shining (1980)
Arguably Stanley Kubrick’s magnum opus, and certainly the best Stephen King adaptation ever committed to celluloid (even if he hates it),The Shiningcan’t find itself mentioned in a room without the surname Nicholson shortly following. And, the thing is, there aremanyreasons to recommendThe Shining.
For instance, the music, the cinematography, the pacing, Shelley Duvall’s intense performance (though her treatment behind-the-scenes was unacceptable), Scatman Crothers' paternal performance, and the tweaked third act. Any one of them is in and of itself a reason to watch the film.
17Jerry Blake in The Stepfather (1987)
“Who am I here?” StarringLost’s Terry O’Quinn and horror legend Jill Schoelen,The Stepfatheris a wildly effective film that hasn’t lost a shred of its impact in the ensuing decades.
O’Quinn portrays Henry Morrison, a serial killer who has just murdered his entire family. Then, after a quick name change to Jerry Blake, real estate agent, Morrison begins to settle down with a new family. This time his wife’s a widow, and she already has a child. Unfortunately for Morrison, his new step-daughter is a teen, and an intuitive one at that.
16Dwight Hansen in This Boy’s Life (1993)
InThis Boy’s Life, Leondardo DiCaprio steals the show, but an intense performance from Robert De Niro as his stepfather too will stick with the viewer. DiCaprio plays “Toby” Wolff, whose mother Caroline (Ellen Barkin) marries De Niro’s Dwight Hansen, who seems like the grounded man to settle down with.
But, once the unpredictable Caroline hits the road for a few weeks, Hansen’s true colors bleed through. He’s abusive in every way possible to Toby, and before long it starts to rub off on the kid.
15Harry Wormwood in Matilda (1996)
Directed by and starring Danny DeVito,Matildais aRoald Dahl adaptation that works. The film’s ace in the hole (save for DeVito and Rhea Perlman) is, of course, the title character herself, as played by Mara Wilson.
The story’s primary source of conflict (save for a particularly mean teacher) is Matilda’s parents' utter disregard for her thoughts or feelings. They practically hold contempt for her because, unlike them, she has a functioning heart. Fortunately, Matilda has such a strong spirit that she can overcome daily abuse (with the help of a particularly kind teacher).
14Dr. Evil in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
One of the 1990s biggest comedy hits,Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery(not to mention its two sequels) has remained a quotable—Arguablytooquotable—piece of pop culture history. It also made several characters comedy icons, specifically the title character, Number Two, and Dr. Evil himself.
The latter lives up to his name pretty consistently, even if he’s yet to quite grasp the concept of inflation. Or parenthood, for that matter, considering he belittles his son Scott (Seth Green). The dynamic doesn’t really get any healthier in the sequels.
13Lester Burnham in American Beauty (1999)
Given the combination of Kevin Spacey’s presence and the pedophilic subject matter,American Beautyis now just about astough a watch as a film canbe. That said, it was never exactly pleasant.
But, at the time, Sam Mendes' directorial debut was seen as a staggering achievement, and it honestly still is in a certain light. It’s just that when tough subject matter mixes with the same topic in the real world, what was once (uncomfortable) entertainment becomes an unsettling cautionary tale. Just one that wasn’t brought to the publics' attention until some good, innocent, outright lovely people such as Anthony Rapp were harmed…and then had to watch their assaulter “portray” much the same in an Academy Award-winning film (and thenwin an Oscarfor it).
The late Bill Paxton didn’t get nearly enough credit forthe strength of his directorial debut,Frailty. And, sadly, he’d only go on to director one more film (the also solidThe Greatest Game Ever Played) throughout his career.
ButFrailtyis a doozy, a well-directed film with a pseudo-antagonistic (or, rather, two of them) who sticks in the viewer’s memory. The plot follows a mentally ill father who takes his two boys on missions to kill demons in the shape of ordinary men and women. But, of course, they arenotthat, and the movie eventually answers the question of whether or not either of the two boys follows in their father’s footsteps.
11George Jung in Blow (2001)
Based onthe late George Jung, a real-life drug smuggler,Blowisn’t quite at the level ofScarfaceorFear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but it has its fans. Johnny Depp portrays Jung, whose specialty was delivering coke for none other than Pablo Escobar of the Medellín Cartel.
This intense, eye-of-the-law-attracting profession becomes Jung’s priority. Unfortunately, this holds true even after he’s married Mirtha (Penélope Cruz) and had a daughter, Kristina Sunshine (played first by Emma Roberts and then Jaime King). Even when the threat of incarceration grows, Jung keeps digging his hole deeper, even after separating from the Cartel.
