So with the recent release of Micheal Cera’s newest film Youth in Revolt that has him playing two roles (Nick Twisp and Francois Dillinger) it’s time we spoke about how great split personalities can be in film.
So you find yourself this time heading into the cinema this week asking yourself why you’ve been tricked into seeing the new Michael Cera film, when you’ve continuously ragged on how he ends up playing the same neurotic character you’ve come to loath in films and what happens ten minutes before curtain? That blasted critic decides to sit next to you and starts to tell you how crappy the movie is going to be. Here are the four steps you must take to win this argument and shut him up.
Step #1 – Tell him how the use of the split personalities has become a cult hit (Fight Club (1999) (dir. David Fincher) – Tyler Durton & Him (Brad Pitt & Edward Norton))
Here’s a movie that has rewarded it’s viewers with each viewing and is possibly one of those few films that the critics and the general movie watching populace has come to agree on. It’s fun, well shot and has great roles that you will laugh at in different points each time because it’s that awesome.
Step #2 – Tell him about how it made it into one of the biggest franchises of the 2000s (Lord of the Rings (2001 – 2003) (dir. Peter Jackson) – Smeagol & Gollum (Andy Serkis))
After setting out into Mordor eventually Sam and Frodo come upon Gollum, the creature who once had the ring and Bilbo took it from. Eventually we get scenes with Gollum (the creature) and Smeagol (the person) fighting over whether to be good or bad. It added a sense of distress and emotional instability to this already dreary scenario (the setting of Mordor).
Step #3 – Tell him that’s it’s been made funny before and it can again (Me, Myself & Irene (2000) (dir.Bobby & Peter Farrelly) Charlie & Hank – Jim Carrey)
This is one that the world is split on (like our character) but I think is gosh darn hilarious and it fits with the comedic split personality deal. Jim Carrey is the king of the weird physical and out there gags of today (he’s recently gone dramatic but you can’t forget him being funny… it’s hard to do so).
Step #4 – Tell him how many of these roles have been continually snubbed by the Academy (Primal Fear (1996) (dir.Gregory Hoblit) Aaron & Roy – Edward Norton)
After fleeing from the scene of the Bishop’s murder and one of the best defense attorneys in the state of Chicago takes his case and fights for him we soon discover that there is a second person roaming around that head of the sweet innocent Aaron. To think that Cuba Gooding Jr. beat Norton for best supporting actor this year for his role in Jerry Maguire astounds me. Norton has been one of my favourite actors for years and this is another reason why.
So at this point you’ve managed to stump your local critic long enough to have the movie start and if he’s still talking then you can punch him in the face and then you’ll definitely have peace and quiet while you enjoy your movie.
Are there any split personalities in film that you love that I forgot to mention?