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Monday Movie Meme - The Great Manipulators
Monday, March 2, 2015 at 5:53PM 
The theme of this week’s Monday Movie Meme is all about characters who try to get one over on others: The Great Manipulators.
Share on your blog or in the comments section, some of the most manipulative movie characters you’ve ever seen.
In a film, these are the types of people who play mind games on others or toy around with their target’s emotions. Or maybe they simply get a kick out of taking advantage of the vulnerabilities in a system, community or business. The folks in this category usually have some type of agenda, unless they are just plain evil. Either way, their antics are generally no fun for the people they interact with as the plot thickens and the scenes play out.
Here are my selections for this week’s The Great Manipulators theme.
Kathryn
Played by Sarah Michelle Gellar in the romantic drama “CRUEL INTENTIONS,” this rich private school brat embodies all that is wrong with mean girls and abusing one’s popularity. The saying that suggests keeping your friends close and your enemies closer may not be a good idea in this particular case. She uses her influence to gain the secrets of those in her inner circle and exploit people for her own benefit; tugging at the heart strings of the unsuspecting whose integrity and innocence gets corrupted by this disgraceful, jealous and insecure bitch.
Rowena Price
(aka David Shane aka Katherine aka Veronica…yeah, how about that!)
Played by Halley Berry in the mystery drama “PERFECT STRANGER,” investigative reporter embarks on an undercover operation to solve the murder of her friend. The thing is, this wannabe vigilante who snoops into a wealthy executive’s habit of extramarital affairs starts opening a can of worms that involves all sorts of funny business. She’s not the only one with tricks up their sleeve, which places her among a cast of characters who are each trying to get over on one another in this movie.
Commodus
Played by Joaquin Phoenix in the historical action drama “GLADIATOR,” this poor excuse for a son who stole control of the Roman Empire, is one merciless son of a bitch! He uses threats of violence and death to gain the allegiance of senators, warriors and his own family.
Ghost
Played by rapper T.I. in the crime thriller “TAKERS,” this ex-con puts the freedoms and safety of his crew in jeopardy, all because he has an ax to grind.
Who are the most manipulative movie characters YOU would add to this list?
Reader Comments (6)
Okay, so I can't think of his character name, but this makes me think of The Devil's Advocate. I believe Al Pacino played the great manipulator in that movie.
Joaquin Phoenix was brutal in Gladiator, but the best manipulators were in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
Angela,
The name of Al Pacino's character in "The Devil's Advocate" is John Milton, I think. I looked it up earlier this week while writing the post but forgot already. Ha! What a great pick for this week's theme because yeah he was so manipulative towards the character Keanu Reeves played, and others. It's funny, I considered adding this flick as an honorable mention but wasn't sure if it would fly because it's been so long since I watched it that the details escapes me. Glad to know someone else pegged it as a fitting choice for the topic! Thanks for participating :)
Maurice,
In one word you've described Joaquin Phoenix's character to a T! He was brutal, indeed, in that movie. You know as I'm slightly familiar with "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," I have yet to watch it. Steve so-and-so is in it, right?! The actor with the white hair...Steve Martin, I think? Or maybe not. Anyway, I'm going to have to check that movie out one of these days. Thank you for your comment on this week's Monday Movie Meme.
Hannibal Lecter was quite good at manipulation in Silence of the Lambs. What he wanted wasn't what they were knowingly giving him, but he managed to have everything he'd wanted.
So many to choose from and as is typical, so many I can't remember.
Let's see, I just watched the end of Psycho and the Norman Bates/ Mother Bates has some very manipulative undertones that are pretty sick.
And speaking of sick I think of Bette Davis as Baby Jane in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. She was trying to run everything though not doing a great job of it.
Then there is the mighty Kane in Citizen Kane. He wanted to run the world.
Also I think of the little girl in Bad Seed--very manipulative little fiend.
Arlee
Shannon,
What a pick with SILENCE OF THE LAMBS! That's one unexpected flick and it fits the theme oh so well. Jodie Foster is in it, right? Hannibal Lecter sure does know how to play around with people, like puppets. Thanks for commenting.
Arlee,
You know way back when...I turned PSYCHO off and refused to watch it; doubt I'll check it out anytime soon but oh yeah that Baby Jane movie was something else. The sister was so cruel but the actresses played their roles well. Great selection for the manipulative movie characters theme! CITIZEN KANE was a good movie to watch, yet, many details about it escapes me at this time. Isn't BAD SEED a horror movie? Yeah...I surely don't plan on viewing that one. Ha! Thanks for stoppy by and participating with your comment.