3 Notable Movies Where Side Characters Eclipsed The Leads
Thanks to great writing and acting, these side characters made their films even more iconic.
It's not uncommon for screenwriters to create great supporting characters who steal the spotlight with their funny lines or dramatic quips. Here are just three notable examples.
3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
First on the list is Officer Jason Dixon from Martin McDonagh's award-winning crime drama. Sam Rockwell's character definitely stole the spotlight from protagonist Mildred Hayes, portrayed by Frances McDormand.
Although the lead actress' performance was impeccable, earning her an Oscar for the role, Rockwell's Officer Dixon made an equally powerful impression on viewers. His acting was simply superb, conveying the complexity of Dixon's character and his transformation with depth and nuance.
Jason Dixon is first introduced as a racist policeman, acting as the movie's main antagonist, but he then changes to a more aware, compassionate person. Besides Mildred's drama, it was Dixon's transformation arc that got the audience hooked on the story.
2. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
One of the greatest Hollywood directors of our time, Paul Thomas Anderson cast Adam Sandler as the protagonist in his absurdist romantic comedy-drama Punch-Drunk Love. Sandler's role in the movie is quite different from what he usually plays, showing the depth and range of his acting talent.
But in addition to Sandler's main character, it was Philip Seymour Hoffman's Dean Trumbell who made the film such a great cinematic experience, taking the story to a whole new level of emotional impact.
Trumbell, the mattress store owner and main antagonist, doesn't get much screen time, but Hoffman's acting leaves a huge impact on the audiences that lingers long after the movie is over.
1. The Big Lebowski (1998)
Despite Jeff Bridges' outstanding performance as The Dude in the Coen Brothers' landmark movie, John Turturro steals the show whenever he appears on the screen. His character in The Big Lebowski is Jesus Quintana, an eccentric opponent of The Dude's bowling team.
Thanks to the actor's brilliant comedic delivery and vibrant energy, the character elevates every scene he is in. Jesus Quintana's unforgettable lines cemented his status as one of the most iconic characters of late 20th-century cinema.
Source: Reddit