I’d heard a lot about the movie The Social Network, and decided to rent it last weekend to see what the fuss was about.
The movie was well done, I thought. One thing that really interested me was how riveted I was by the film when I actually didn’t give a flip about many of the characters in it.
Mark Zuckerberg (as portrayed in the movie) is not exactly the most likeable guy out there. Actually, he comes across as borderline sociopathic.
The Winklevoss twins who claimed Mark Zuckerberg stole their idea for Facebook? It’s hard to really feel sorry for them. It sounded like their idea was for more of a Harvard dating site.
Sean Parker, the founder of Napster? Major jerk in the movie.
I honestly couldn’t even summon up sympathy for Zuckerberg’s ex-girlfriend. Who would go out with such a person, anyway?
The only character that I found sympathetic in the film was the former Facebook CFO, Eduardo Saverin. He was only CFO because he was Zuckerberg’s roommate/friend and had money in his checking account.
I wondered why I found the movie so interesting– usually I’m all about the characters.
The main character, Zuckerberg, is just different. He’s difficult to figure out. He’s brainy (usually an appealing trait…except when the braininess is used against you in a scheming way) but was written to be almost petty in his immaturity and jealousy.
So this seems to be a story where the complexity and ambiguity of the main character—and the hopes of a hint at what makes them tick—is what makes it appealing.
Have you watched the movie? What made you keep watching it? Or, if you haven’t watched the film, what makes you keep reading a book when there’s an unlikeable protagonist? Have you ever written one?
Elizabeth – I’ve not seen the movie yet, although my daughter did, and didn’t like it much. But as far as unlikeable protagonists go? I’ve read my share of them, and the one thing that keeps me reading is – there’s got to be something unique about them. Something that makes me interested and somewhat redeems the characters. Like a total complete jerk who’s a brilliant chemist. If something interests me, I’ll keep reading.
I haven’t seen the movie yet. Unlikable protags are tough, both to read and to write. When done properly though they can be brilliant! Guess I’m going to have to see the movie!
I loved the movie. And you’re right, outside of Eduardo,not many likable people.
However, I think what made me pull for Zuckerberg was that in that opening scene when he’s on the date, we can see that he really wants to connect with the girl, but he’s incapable. His mind just doesn’t work that way.
We all can relate to being socially awkward at one point or another and not knowing the right thing to say to “fit in” with everyone else. So I think that made him somewhat sympathetic to me. He wants to belong (that’s why not getting into that Harvard club was such a big deal to him) but he can’t. He’s different, like you said.
My protag in my current project isn’t all that likeable. She’s petty and self-centered and flawed in a way she doesn’t realize. The story is what enables her character growth into something likeable and worthy. I haven’t seen the Social Network yet, but I would think that sort of change in the character’s arc would dominate the story, if nothing else.
I still have to see that film. Might check it out this weekend.
That movie didn’t really appeal to me to be honest. But I don’t mind an unlikable protagonist, if there’s something (anything really) sympathetic about him/her, something that makes me want to hope he’ll change in some way I think. Few real people are all good or all bad after all.
You know, I thought it looked sooo boring, but EVERYBODY was talking about it! I still haven’t gotten around to it, but I intend to eventually. I don’t know, it just has little of interest to me at first glance, but we’ll see.
Haven’t seen the movie. If it ever gets to Netflix, I probably will.
A totally unlikeable protagonist is a tough sell, but flawed characters draw me in. There has to be some really strong justification for the unlikability (which probably isn’t a real word) or other redeeming qualities. Barry Eisler’s assassin hero becomes likable through the glimpses we get of his emotional makeup.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I haven’t seen the movie yet.
I will put down a book if I can’t like any of the characters, but I have sat through boring movies. Perhaps that’s because the movie is over fairly quickly, but slogging through a book where none of the characters are likable can take days.
Haven’t seen it yet, but plan to. Me, I like “unlikeable” protagonists for a change once in a while. The main character in my novel, Owen Fiddler, is just such a character. He did wind up with redeeming characteristics, though, thank God. (pun intended, lol)
Marvin D Wilson
I have a rather interesting tie to this movie as I was lucky enough to be in touch with the screenwriter during his actual writing and then through the production.
Are the characters likable? No. (other than Saverin). I loved the Rashomon-way of telling the story though, and of course, the writing itself is brilliant.
Mr. Sorkin will get his well-deserved Oscar.
I haven’t seen the movie. For me to stay interested in an unlikeable character, there has to be either an incredible story or a spark of something about the character that draws me in, even if it’s waiting to witness his downfall.
I found the movie engrossing because the actors did an amazing job of portraying unlikeable, but fascinating, people. It’s no accident that Eduardo is the only likeable character, since he gave the inside scoop on Zuckerman in the book that this movie was based on. So, actually, this is “his” story. If you read some of the IMs and emails sent by Zuckerman about ousting Eduardo, you’ll probably have even a *less* favorable view of him than the movie presented.
Heather–Hope you’ll enjoy it! :)
Roni–He was turning everything she said around, wasn’t he? I turned on the subtitles because the dialogue was moving so quickly and he was *thinking* so quickly that I couldn’t absorb it all!
You know, you’re bringing up a good point, Roni. Maybe it’s because I’ve always been a bit socially awkward–I *did* relate to him.
Heather–Oh, I love transformation stories! Very appealing to me.
Margot–Good point. So they don’t have to be *good*, but they can’t be *boring.*
Charmaine–It was surprisingly interesting, I thought.
Lisa–I think you’re right. Do you think he showed any signs of change? I thought I sensed a little regret.
Erica–That’s exactly why I decided to watch it–so much buzz! Well, and the fact I have 3 FB accounts…
Helen–Very true! A book is definitely more of a time investment than a movie is.
The Old Silly–Good point. Sometimes we’re waiting for some sign of redemption or transformation. I saw maybe *some* regret by the main character in Social Network. Not a lot, though.
Bridgette–Great way to get his side of the story heard! Of course, I think he ended up wealthy too, didn’t he, from FB? Not that he wasn’t already wealthy…
Terry–I agree with you on that and it really makes the Social Network movie even more inexplicable to me. I know that sometimes I can respect a person and not like them, so maybe that’s part of the reason why I still was interested in the movie.
I have seen the movie and I can see what you are saying about unlikeable characters. I did like Justin Timberlakes character because of his crazy antics are what got the company up and going, while Eduardo was thinking small time.
I haven’t attempted to write unlikeable protagonists as I find it hard to be motivated when the protagonist is unlikeable. I do like to play with the antagonist though, make him more of a gray area guy so his motivations are unclear until the end.
John–You know, that’s true–he was a fascinating character, even though he was a pain in the neck. He had a vision that Eduardo didn’t have (and, really, that Zuckerberg didn’t fully have, either.)
Actually, I’m writing on this same topic tomorrow–how it’s hard to stay motivated writing when you’re not really liking your protagonist.
Elspeth–Lucky! That must have been really interesting for you. It was a great story, and that might have been part of the reason I was so absorbed.
Carol–Maybe that was part of it, too…maybe I was waiting to see him brought down. (Although I *knew* he wasn’t going to be!)
I’ve read books like that… I think it comes down to… is there a riddle to them… are you trying to solve whether they are a good guy or a bad guy? I mean some people are just a train wreck and it’s sort of fascinating to see what they make of it… I think when it works for me, is if the writer lets me in on the emotion, so even if I don’t LIKE them, at least I sort of understand them. I tend to always come back to Lolita and Humbert Humbert… if an author can make a pedophile a compelling, beautiful read (without trying to convince us he is justified), he’s really done something.
Hart–Great example. For me, I think I was trying to figure out if there was more to Humbert than just obsession…and there was. Very interesting read.
oh boy. I watched the movie with my sister. We were interested but completely gobsmacked that it got a nomination for best picture at the Oscars. I do not it when writers openly tell you that they made stuff up and what’s the big deal? I didn’t like these characters but the thing is that they aren’t. Characters that is. They are flawed humans. And if they were going to make up all sorts of stuff why oh why didn’t they give it a narrative arc? Perhaps because we all know (sort of) what happened? Or because they didn’t need to in order to sell the story. All they needed was a producer savvy enough to know that the folks who facebook (and they are legion) would, on the whole, love to hear this story. Weird. The protagonist doesn’t change in any way all the way through. He is just as much a pathetic sociopath at the end as he is at the beginning. Bah.
Jan–I think I *wanted* him to change so much that I saw signs of it! But I’m not sure I trust my judgment on it. Did you think that he was a little hesitant when he was reminded that he lost his one friend?
Not seen the movie, only the trailer. I am not sure if it is for me.
Unlikeable protagonists are not an issue with me, providing the storyline is a good one.
Not seen the movie, only the trailer. I am not sure if it is for me.
Unlikeable protagonists are not an issue with me, providing the storyline is a good one.
Yeah…I still kind of enjoyed the movie, despite one of the most painfully obnoxious opening scenes in the history of filmmaking. And the fact that Zuckerberg’s character arc was a very, very short, straight line. And everyone but Savarin was kind of a prat.
I guess the story was interesting enough to keep me watching. So a minor triumph for the writers.