Give me movie recommendations where the main character "wants it all". (money, sex, health, etc)
August 23, 2011 7:00 PM Subscribe
Give me movie recommendations where the main character "wants it all". (money, sex, health, etc)
I want movie reccomendations where the main character is driven to succeed, in all or any of the following: money, health, women, respect, "doing the right thing", honor etc.
I don't know how to describe it very well, but where they are basically driven to succeed in what they want, regardless of others, a pursuit of everything they want, and that most people don't attain.
The examples that I can think of that fit my idea are:
Scarface, American Beauty, Rocky, American gangster, pursuit of happyness, Rudy, Limitless.
I want movie reccomendations where the main character is driven to succeed, in all or any of the following: money, health, women, respect, "doing the right thing", honor etc.
I don't know how to describe it very well, but where they are basically driven to succeed in what they want, regardless of others, a pursuit of everything they want, and that most people don't attain.
The examples that I can think of that fit my idea are:
Scarface, American Beauty, Rocky, American gangster, pursuit of happyness, Rudy, Limitless.
Does it need to be the most important character, or just an important character? If it's the latter: Biff in Back to the Future Part II.
posted by John Cohen at 7:11 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by John Cohen at 7:11 PM on August 23, 2011
Highlander. I suppose technically he wants to be the last one left alive, but the soundtrack to the movie has a song called I Want It All.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:19 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:19 PM on August 23, 2011
Does it need to be a man? Since you mention "women" as something the character wants. I was thinking American Psycho, except that honor doesn't enter into it -- although Bateman wants people to think he has honor.
posted by sweetkid at 7:25 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by sweetkid at 7:25 PM on August 23, 2011
He gave "honor" in a list of examples followed by "etc." and said the character could want "all or any" of them.
posted by John Cohen at 7:27 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by John Cohen at 7:27 PM on August 23, 2011
Working Girl
posted by thinkpiece at 7:30 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by thinkpiece at 7:30 PM on August 23, 2011
Goodfellas.
posted by telegraph at 7:31 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by telegraph at 7:31 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Secret of My Success
Risky Business
Catch Me if You Can
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:40 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Risky Business
Catch Me if You Can
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:40 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
By way of apology, I offer you Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. A period piece about a poor young Irish boy who becomes obsessed with climbing the social ladder and the whole "Royal court" scene.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:40 PM on August 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:40 PM on August 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
30 Rock
posted by Phssthpok at 7:41 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Phssthpok at 7:41 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
A Christmas Carol
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:09 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:09 PM on August 23, 2011
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Ripley's Game (the sequel)
posted by ceribus peribus at 8:19 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ripley's Game (the sequel)
posted by ceribus peribus at 8:19 PM on August 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
I Love You, Phillip Morris
posted by hermitosis at 8:34 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by hermitosis at 8:34 PM on August 23, 2011
Don't Mess with the Zohan
posted by Nanukthedog at 8:54 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by Nanukthedog at 8:54 PM on August 23, 2011
Jumper
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:58 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:58 PM on August 23, 2011
There Will Be Blood
posted by armoir from antproof case at 9:01 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by armoir from antproof case at 9:01 PM on August 23, 2011
Citizen Kane
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 9:05 PM on August 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 9:05 PM on August 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
I want movie reccomendations where the main character is driven to succeed, in all or any of the following: money, health, women, respect, "doing the right thing", honor etc.
I don't know how to describe it very well, but where they are basically driven to succeed in what they want, regardless of others, a pursuit of everything they want, and that most people don't attain.
I think Gandhi fits the bill.
posted by vidur at 9:31 PM on August 23, 2011
I don't know how to describe it very well, but where they are basically driven to succeed in what they want, regardless of others, a pursuit of everything they want, and that most people don't attain.
I think Gandhi fits the bill.
posted by vidur at 9:31 PM on August 23, 2011
The 1932 version of Scarface is about pretty much exactly this. Tony Camonte is interested in all of the elements of your list except for health.
posted by bubukaba at 10:27 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by bubukaba at 10:27 PM on August 23, 2011
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posted by Windigo at 7:06 PM on August 23, 2011