Unsympathetic main character / protagonist in movies.

Thinking about the Cohen Brothers films I've seen, it's great how they pay homage to the past, while breaking rules at the same time (who else would have Brad Pitt, in unglamorous role and killed off half way through)?

Barton Fink, for example (I don't think it's one of their best) is a protagonist who is not only not a hero, he's not even an anti hero, yet he's the main character. There must only be a handful of films who feature in the starring role, someone quite unsympathetic and from what I can remember, devoid of positive attributes.

Can anyone think of another / other example(s)?

 

I guess not!

 

There Will Be Blood?

 

Jake LaMotta/Raging Bull

 

Jesse Eisenberg’s character in The Social Network. And he’s not doing much better in real life...

Also Citizen Kane.

 

The William Petersen role in "To Live and Die in LA" leaps to mind...

 

PetersEn.

I finally beat Oatsdad!

 

This is fake news. My post clearly reads "Petersen" and you tampered with it to fit your sick agenda!

No way I would've gone back and edited my prior post!

 

Pacino's Scarface
Oldman's Sid Vicious

 

John Cusack as Rob Gordon was pretty unsympathetic to me. I liked the movie, but I hoped he would still be the lsoer he is.

 

Willy Wonka as portrayed by Gene Wilder was kind of an azzwhole.

 

That's a great example!

 

Pretty tough to get behind any of the characters in Pulp Fiction. Maybe Bruce Willis, but he's faking throwing a fight for money, so.....

Hateful Eight as well. Tarantino?

 

Much of Cipario's 2000s career.

Leonardo DiCaprio has played rich maniacs in 9 of his last 14 films

 

Pacino in GF II. He's gone from being a decent guy who was more or less forced into the business to help his family, to being a monster who obliterates everyone in his path, including his family.

 

Just within the scope of that movie, no doubt...

 

Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. Never could relate with his role, Mrs. Robinson is way cooler imo.

 

Oh well, and those four aristocrats in Pasolini's Salò. Are they the 'protagonists'? They're the main characters for sure and do horrible things out of boredom.

 

Bonnie And Clyde.
The Wild Bunch.
Wild At Heart.

 

Virtually all of the main characters in American Beauty were unlikable.

 

really? I thought Brolins character was sympathetic....(slight spoiler) especially driving into probable trouble to give a dying an a sip of water. and tommy lee jones was sympathetic. now....Fargo/Macy id agree with

 

Wrong movie. You’re thinking No Country for Old Men.

 

yes! I saw Coens Brothers and went with it.......yep, There will Be Blood I agree with

 

I recall very many (most) movie goers found Bonnie and Clyde to be sympathetic antiheroes in that film. I think it's a classic example of that.

 

Agree.