See? There's just something sexy about a guy in a mask. (Leatherface, Michael Meyers and Jason being obvious exceptions.)
A few weeks ago, I was watching the 25th Anniversary performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. And as the Phantom was standing before Christine (just a homicidal maniac, standing in front of girl, asking her to love him), she kissed him out of pity. And then, realizing that she did have a little bit of genuine love for the Phantom, Christine really went in for an all-out, knee-bender of a make-out session. The camera panned back to, the very handsome actor playing Raoul, who appeared to be crying at the abandonment of his lady love.
And I burst out laughing. I yelled, “Suck it, you useless fop!”
It’s not that I have anything against foppery in general. I love all versions of Phantom, particularly the movie staring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum. But even though I know that the Phantom has to relinquish Christine and Raoul has to sweep her away, just once, I would like the Phantom to say, “You know what? I don’t need redemption that badly. This is the woman I love. And Raoul has to die.”
And then drop Raoul into the catacombs.
I have this perverse habit of rooting for the bad guys in movies and books. I am both Team Sawyer and Team Damon. While reading Twilight, I kind of wanted James to eat Bella. While watching The Witches of Eastwick, I wanted the girls to forgive Daryl so they could live as one big happy demonic family.
But I’ve come to realize, this isn’t my fault. Good writers make their villains just as multi-dimensional –and, occasionally, sympathetic – as their protagonists. A love triangle without tension on all three sides isn’t a love triangle. It’s just a couple falling in love, while an annoying third party hovers around, messing things up for them at the end of the second act.
I’m supposed to root for the tortured, strategically scarred, but somehow still hot, Phantom*. Because as safe and pampered as life with Raoul would be, we all wonder what it would be like to live in the shadows with a deranged genius who’s in to cosplay. The writers wanted to me to want that. So really, I’m just being considerate.
It has nothing to do with my personal psychology, really.
So which villains do you root for? Which book or move endings would you change for the “badder,” if you had the Writer Fairy magic wand? Discuss below.
*I’ve made my feelings about movie Phantom Gerard Butler very clear in my novel, THE CARE AND FEEDING OF STRAY VAMPIRES. He’s a beautiful man, but has single-handedly murdered the romantic comedy. And for that, he has been removed from my Imaginary Celebrity Boyfriend List… and replaced by Tom Hardy.
Sorry, Gerry.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved Sebastian early on in Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflowers series and I wasn’t sure how she was going to write his HEA, or if he even would get one – but his book ended up being my favorite in the quartet
Anakin Skywalker after he turns into Darth Vader but before he melts in that weird fire planet.
Walking Dead, I preferred Shane to Rick at first.
Is it weird that I want to bear Daryl Dixon’s crossbow-toting babies?
Well definitely team Jack all the way. (Sorry Sawyer –but you need to wash your hair). And as to the dudes in Twilight–neither thank you very much. I just wished anyone would eat Bella. LOL. And I’ve pretty much always been a Raoul fan too. Although Gerard in anything else is worth rooting for.
That said–I totally agree about well written villains– my two favorites are the Alan Rickman character in Die Hard and Magua in Last of the Mohicans. Fabulously done, both of them.
Molly — (and Sherri) you are misguided, of course, but it’s fine with me that you’ve given up on Gerry – less women for me to fight off for him! LOL!
Oh, yes, I do find myself rooting for the villains. In many stories, they are infinitely more appealing and interesting than the ‘heroes’. I kept watching the BBC ROBIN HOOD with Richard Armitage as Guy waiting and waiting and knowing that Lady Marian could be his salvation and redeem him – if she would only recognize it. Though shocked by the ‘jump the shark’ turns the series took, I still liked him more than Robin. And damn it, Marian SHOULD HAVE LOVED HIM instead….
FEWER women… not less…. sorry….
I am totally Team Damon on Vampire Diaries and have been since day one. Ian Somerhalder is just ridiculously gorgeous and SO in love with Elena–which annoys me because she can be a real PITA. I’d love for him to find someone who really loves him instead of always coming in second place to Stefan. I don’t think Elena deserves him.
As for bad guys–I still root for Butch and Sundance to win out over the law.
I had a sick fantasy of Miss Swann and Captn Jack Sparrow getting it on…
I also really wished that the three lived happily ever after with Bruce Willis drinking the potion in Death Becomes her.
I was really upset that Maximus killed Commodus, cuz I really wanted him to get with Lucilla and keep Commodus as a naked pet in Gladiator. But oh no…Maximus had to die too and well that just bummed me out.
And let me just say…if I was Star, I would want both Michael AND David to be my blankets at night in Lost Boys because David just had that touch of evil naughty that made me squiggly inside. Michael was nice and all but David was just that bit more ooomph. And Dwayne could warm my toes (the REALLY hot brunette vampire with the long hair that says YOU MISSED Suckah )
Yeah I do tend to like the naughty long haired ones…I guess that is why I am so attracted to my long haired husband…..I like the bad boys because I bet deep inside there is some good in there.
Have you see the 2008 BBC miniseries of S&S? Dominic Cooper is delish as Willoughby.
When I read “Sense and Sensibility” in high school, I remember thinking, “ew, poor Marianne ended up with an old guy.” But then I saw the movie and Greg Wiseman’s Willoughby was so weasely that Alan Rickman seemed like a much better alternative. Or maybe I matured a little bit.
Probably not.
I totally would have gone for Alan Rickman. Couldn’t understand what took Marianne so long.
The thing about Willoughby is that he isn’t a “bad” guy. He’s just weak and selfish. His seduction/abandonment of Brandon’s ward is incredibly selfish. He’s too weak temper his behavior, even when he knows he’s damaging his reputation and Marianne’s. He’s too weak to imagine life without his inheritance, so he drops Marianne like a hot brick. And then he’s too weak to acknowledge that ever felt anything for Marianne, even though he knows how much that would hurt her. He doesn’t set out to hurt people, but it doesn’t bother him when he does.
Brandon is the guy who is strong enough to run around fix the messes that guys like Willoughby create.
He’s actually a classic Austen character (Willoughby) and the best of the lot as far as those guys go.
Yes, but when Marianne hurts her ankle and he carries her home… sigh. It was hard for me to get over him. I wanted him to be worthy, but yes, he wasn’t.
Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility. I always wanted him to be redeemed and suitable for Marianne instead of old guy Colonel Brandon. Now I have more respect for Brandon, considering I’m old too. I would also take Tom Hardy over Gerard Butler, but I have a feeling Terri Brisbin would not agree.
I’m headed home, where I’ll be without internet for who knows how long. Have power, but they lost cable-phone-internet back home. So if you don’t hear from me…
Sorry Colonel Brandon all the way. Willoughby was too silly. And Marianne needed to grow up.