Poll Suggestion: "Aesthetically Challenged" Characters We'd Like to See as Protagonists of Romance Movies

These fictional characters are overweight, bald, old, small, clumsy, in other words, the total opposite of Hollywood's boring hero/heartthrob aesthetical stereotype: young, tall, handsome, articulate, elegant, athletic with a full head of hair (Meh...).

Which of these fictional characters, who absolutely do not conform to Hollywood's trite beauty cliché, would you like to see having a leading role as the top sweetheart, teen idol, heartbreaker in the next Hollywood Oscar-winning epic romance? (something like Titanic or Casablanca)

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls089049917/

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ElMaruecan82

5.1K Messages

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137.8K Points

3 years ago

Hi,

The premise is good but I think you should take a few things in consideration:

- if it's a comic relief role, it does play within the trope that the funny or weird-looking protagonist has an usual look, Zed was obviously written for laughs and would have been a nice entry if he was the film's Mahoney :)

- Chewbacca is only a sidekick of a hero who happens to be tall, handsome and badass...

- I'm not sure Cartoon characters work either because unless we're talking of realistic cartoons (or set in the human world) they're all drawn in a way that will distance itself from the boring stereotypes you describe in your intro, besides, Mr. Magoo is meant as a funny character and his handicap is part of the gimmick.

Now, I might be an exception but I think Mr. Spock is quite attractive in his own way, Gump isn't very smart but he's tall, athletic and quite handy with a racket.

If I had made this poll, I would look for bald, overweight or short heroes (some short actors are quite handsome) and protagonists who have the everyday look of Kathy Bates for instance.

I'll get back with a few suggestions.

Movies with Woody Allen, Chaplin or Pesci as the main characters would work too.

3

Peter_pbn

Champion

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13.9K Messages

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324.8K Points

I think an animated character like Shrek is the perfect example because he subverts the Disney prince stereotypes.

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3 years ago

ElMaruecan82

5.1K Messages

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137.8K Points

Both Shrek and Fiona subvert the trope actually.... I agree they are perfect for the poll.

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3 years ago

mariojacobs

3.6K Messages

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54.6K Points

@ElMaruecan82

>The premise is good but I think you should take a few things in consideration:

A half-baked idea I must admit. Working on it...

>- if it's a comic relief role, it does play within the trope that the funny or weird-looking protagonist has an usual look, Zed was obviously written for laughs and would have been a nice entry if he was the film's Mahoney :)

I was thinking about an alternate universe where Zed IS the Brad Pitt/Di Caprio/Johnny Depp of our dull universe.

>- Chewbacca is only a sidekick of a hero who happens to be tall, handsome and badass...

Removed all non-humans and cartoons, Shrek and Homer kept exceptionally.

>- I'm not sure Cartoon characters work either because unless we're talking of realistic cartoons (or set in the human world) they're all drawn in a way that will distance itself from the boring stereotypes you describe in your intro, besides, Mr. Magoo is meant as a funny character and his handicap is part of the gimmick.

I'm afraid I must keep some cartoons because I need, in that anti-universe, Homer and Shrek (what they represent) to be the: world's sweetheart, heartthrob, matinee idol, most attractive living man, Oscar winner, charismatic, heartbreaker. Not a clown, not a sidekick, not a comic relief, not a joke, but the true protagonist of blockbusters like Titanic, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Edward Scissorhands.

>Now, I might be an exception but I think Mr. Spock is quite attractive in his own way,

Yes, Removed. He was considered a "mestizo" human/vucan. I don't want to get into the subject color/religion to avoid generating controversy. I also want to be politically correct and avoided words like "fat, bald, dumb".

> Gump isn't very smart but he's tall, athletic and quite handy with a racket.

Too good-looking = Removed !

>If I had made this poll, I would look for bald, overweight or short heroes (some short actors are quite handsome) and protagonists who have the everyday look of Kathy Bates for instance.

It is ancient history, but do you know "married with children"? bob rooney, no ma'am ?

>I'll get back with a few suggestions.

thank you for you input.

>Movies with Woody Allen, Chaplin or Pesci as the main characters would work too.

coopted. I always wanted to use this word.

I re-wrote the poll text.

p.s.
complex, huh!? not even I am fully understanding what i am trying to say ;)

(edited)

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3 years ago