Imperfect Fictional Characters We Admire

[Epictetus]

While there is much clultural glorification of perfectionism, I find it interesting that some of the most memorable and inspiring fictional characters in literature and cinema are deeply flawed. Who is an "imperfect" character you like from literature or the cinema?

I am thinking of "Elwood P. Dowd" [played by actor Jimmie Stewart] and his imaginary friend, "Harvey" for starters.

[starla1979]

Kramer from Seinfeld - he's wacky, but that's why people love him :)

[Veruca]

Veronica Mars from the show Veronica Mars(Duh huh?). She was imperfect for a main character. She made mistakes, was judgemental and even though she was kind she had a mean streak from time to time just like a real person.

[Epictetus]

I am thinking now of two television police detectives:

Adrian Monk, who suffers from OCD and multiple phobios

and

Lt. Colombo, who dresses in a dishelved raincoat and drives a beat up, distressed Peugeot car. He is portrayed by Peter Falk as absentminded [seemingly], pensive, bumbling, pestering.

[Lady Mozzer]

I really loved the character of Charlie from" The Perks Of Being A Wallflower" book.That book really spoke to me.I just thought it was really so very beautiful.It`s become one of my favorite books.

Also the Enid character from "Ghost World"(the movie version).Though not that cynical.

Daria(the animated series)My nephew was watching this with my sister and he said I was just like Daria.I thought it was funny but so true lol!My cousin also used to call me Daria

Darlene from Roseanne my cousins started calling me that when she started wearing all black ect.I was really like that I must admit.Anyway Roseanne is one of my favorite shows.

Mac from One Flew Over The Cukoo`s Nest I read the book and have seen the movie.They keep trying to break him but he doesn`t let them until...I won`t give away the ending(in case).But anyway Jack Nicholson was super cool in that film.

[evalynn]

A well-drawn character is like an actual human being: complex, flawed, and interesting. There are so many characters I could mention here--everyone from Harry Potter to Holden Caulfield. Some of my favorite characters come from obscure books that I was given as gifts along time ago. This is an interesting topic; I'll have to give it more thought, actually, just to narrow down my choices. Two that come to the top of my head right now are Amir from the Kite Runner and The Burned Man from The Gargoyle.

[Epictetus]

I like the flawed character of Harry Pearce in the BBC series "Spooks" although all the characters are great.

I like the shy fictional character Mole from the children's book, "The Wind in the Willows."

[MrSnappy]

I too am very fond of Lieutenant Columbo and his "Just one more thing" Catchphrase. Was very sad when I heard Peter Falk had died.

My other hero died not so long ago too. Patrick McGoohnan, who played the Prisoner.

[Epictetus]

Me too. It was fun seeing Falk and McGoohan work together too. They were friends in real life. I read that Falk had to sort of cajole McGoohan into doing the paperwork to submit himself for an Emmy Award. Both are missed! McGoohan also directed some "Columbo" episodes. I think the Falk/McGoohan episodes were the best.

[starla1979]

I find Hugh Laurie's character Doctor House very relatable and likeable, although he's not very warm he is a risk-taking genius who has flaws and many of the episodes focus on him dealing with his own insecurities and struggles with addiction. He seems very real

[Epictetus]

I like Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison [played by actress Helen Mirren] on the BBC show "Prime Suspect." She is so human.

[lostingothicmusic]

I am fascinated with Lisbeth Salander (The Millenium Trilogy). She's incredibly flawed but so beautiful and exciting.

And for those who read Terry Pratchett - I love Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and Death! They are hilarious!!!

[Lise]

I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's with my Mum the other night. I loved Holly. She was so funny and very glamorous but clearly very flawed.

[Joyandsmile]

My favorite of all time - Stitch..

good hearted, just mess up things at times..

and the favorite quote:

Ohana means family. And family means, nobody is left behind, or forgotten.. =D

[sober4life]

Al Bundy I love Married With Children

[Marie241]

I've always liked Winnie te Pooh and since I got depression identify with eeyore.

[hocico]

Sherlock holmes (his bumbling slightly ecentric manner reminds me of me!)

[Hertz]

François Perrin in any Francis Veber movie.

[Epictetus]

HAL, the computer in 2001 a Space Odyssey.

[jmg]

Rooster Cogburn - John Wayne

[jmg]

James Garner in the Rockford Files tv show

[WyldeWriter]

Jane Eyre - Bronte's novel of the same name

Rachel Morgan - from Kim Harrison's novels

Daenerys Targaryen - Game of Thrones

Algernon Monfrieff - Importance of being Earnest

[hocico]

Richard Sharpe from Sharpe, he often doesnt have the fancy words and

money of the other officers who have purchased their commisions but he is loyal to his friends in battle

both on and off the field, protects the innocent and has a chivarous nature with regards to women.

[jmg]

Hawkey Pierce from the tv show MASH

[Epictetus]

Major Harry Cargill [played by Richard Basehart], accused of cowardice in a military thriller called "Time Limit" directed by actor Karl Malden. The drama also has a good fictional character in Col. William Edwards [played by Richard Widmark] who has contradictory feelings about Cargill. The movie deals with ideals and the hierarchy of ideals and how one ideal can conflict with that of another. It reminds me of the Greek play "Medea" by Euripedes. Major Cargill is torn between conflicting ideals.