10 Movie Characters Whose Dreams Fell Apart (original) (raw)
Many movie characters have dreams that motivate their decisions and actions. While many characters achieve their goals and make the world a better place, others don't attain this. Instead of seeing their dreams realized, these characters have them derailed.
Sometimes, these unlucky characters do not possess the necessary skills or wisdom to bring their goal to fruition. Other times, the character is sidetracked by external influences that push them off their path. Some characters' egos get in the way and their dream falls apart, causing havoc and destruction for everyone involved.
10 Mr. Andrews Sees His Ship Sink To The Ocean Floor (Titanic)
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Thomas Andrews of Titanic holds the ship he designed as his pride, but this doesn't impede his humility. Before the inevitable collision, Andrews continually makes notes about the Titanic's quality and its possible improvements. While he happily explains the ship's qualities, Andrews is never arrogant. This adds to his likability and makes the Titanic's fate even more devastating.
Due to a series of events out of his control, the infamous Titanic hits an iceberg and sinks. Andrews is frantic as he tries to guide the passengers to safety and is wracked with guilt that he couldn't build a stronger ship. He even chooses to go down with it out of remorse.
9 John Hammond Cuts Too Many Corners And His Dinosaur Park Falls Apart (Jurassic Park)
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John Hammond of Jurassic Park is the original creator of the titular attraction. In contrast to his unlikable and greedy novel counterpart, the film version is more sympathetic and idealistic. Hammond genuinely wanted to create something magical and real for people to experience, culminating in the dinosaur park.
Tragically, Hammond cut too many corners financially and practically for it to work. This, coupled with an unfortunately-timed hurricane and the fact that recreating dinosaurs was unwise, spells disaster for the park's visitors. By the end, Hammond has seen the error of his ambition and abandons the park with everyone else, sadly ruminating on his failure.
8 Sandie Is Lured Into A Seedy World That Manipulates Her (Last Night In Soho)
Sandie from Last Night in Soho is introduced as a talented potential singer in the 1960s. Brimming with charisma and confidence, Sandie seems like a blossoming star in the making as she auditions at The Rialto and hires a manager. Sadly, everything goes downhill from here.
Rather than kickstarting Sandie's career, Jack is revealed as an abusive and shady person who lures vulnerable women into his employ. Then, he exploits his employees by selling off nights with them to other men and keeping them in a seedy dead-end job for his own benefit. As Ms. Collins' later conversation with Ellie proves, Sandie never fulfilled her singing dreams after this.
7 The Protagonists' Goal To Stay Alive Longer Comes To Nothing (Never Let Me Go)
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Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy of the 2010 film Never Let Me Go belong to an orphanage in an alternative timeline. Throughout the film, the three characters are revealed to be clones who, horrifically, are expected to be extra body parts for "real" people.
To try to save her friends, Ruth formulates a plan for them to survive longer. She sacrifices herself so Kathy and Tommy can form their romance, going off the rumor that a relationship can defer clones' surgeries since it proves they have souls. Sadly, the rumor is false and nothing can keep the characters from going to their awful fates.
6 Edward Never Achieves His Dream Of Normalcy (Edward Scissorhands)
The titular character of Edward Scissorhands was created by a deceased scientist but left unfinished. After his creators' death, Edward is left with blades in place of his hands. After being discovered by Peg in a dilapidated mansion, Edward accompanies her back to her home where he struggles to fit in with the suburban environment.
Despite showing creativity and skill with his blades in areas such as hair-cutting, topiaries, and ice sculptures, Edward wants to have human hands. While people offer fanciful hopes of help, it never comes to pass. Edward is forced to flee back to his old home on the hill when misunderstandings lead to a mob mentality against him.
5 Tom Cannot Separate Summer From His Ideal Version Of Her ((500) Days Of Summer)
Tom from (500) Days of Summer meets the titular woman and falls head over heels for her. Even though Summer emphasizes that their relationship isn't serious, Tom believes she is the one and idealizes her, effectively putting her on a pedestal and ignoring her flaws.
The film's editing shows the differences between Tom's expectations and reality, which all too often fall short of his hopes and demonstrate why his relationship with Summer is doomed to fail. In the end, their brief fling comes to a halt. Summer winds up engaged to someone else while Tom is left heartbroken from his flawed perspective.
4 Tonya Is Forbidden To Skate Again After The Nancy Kerrigan Scandal (I, Tonya)
The 2017 film I, Tonya follows the life of real-life figure skater Tonya Harding, including the 1994 incident with Nancy Kerrigan. The film presents different viewpoints, with the actual truth left up to the viewer to decide. Due to her socioeconomic status, Tonya struggles with getting the recognition she deserves in professional figure skating, despite her athleticism and talent.
When the 1994 knee-capping occurs, the scandal harms Tonya's reputation more. Following the 1994 Olympics, Tonya is officially banned from competing on the charge of hindering prosecution. It is even more crushing since Tonya never finished her education, meaning that the sport literally is her life.
3 Michael Corleone's Efforts Turn Out Fruitless (The Godfather Trilogy)
Michael Corleone from The Godfather trilogy is initially unaffiliated with the family business. However, things change when the other families attempt to assassinate his father. After killing Sollozzo and McCluskey, Michael officially becomes involved with crime. Michael becomes head of the family after Vito's death and makes a string of decisions to assert his family's power.
Tragically, this pushes everyone away and prolongs the family's immersion in the crime world, despite Vito's wish to become honest. The end of Michael's life is sobering as he reflects on the loved ones he endangered and lost.
2 Mike Wazowski Must Rethink His Career Path After His Limitations Become Apparent (Monsters University)
From the moment of his Monsters, Inc. school field trip in Monsters University, Mike Wazowski dreamed of becoming a top Scarer by attending the titular school. After his rivalry with Sully grabs the dean's attention, Mike is forced to confront the truth: he isn't scary in the slightest.
Even Mike's immense book knowledge of scaring techniques cannot make up for his lack of intimidating physical features. Luckily, Mike works past this disadvantage to advance his way up from the mailroom at Monsters, Inc. Eventually, Mike gets a career on the Scare Floor as Sully's Scare assistant. This differs from his original dream, but he's much better suited to it.
1 Maya Sacrifices Her Integrity To Get Her Work Off The Ground (Iron Man 3)
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In the MCU's Iron Man 3, Dr. Maya Hansen is introduced as an old flame of Tony Stark. He left her with an unfinished equation for her work. During the film, Maya is revealed to be in cahoots with the villain Aldritch Killian. Maya's original vision for Extremis was that it would help people medically and make their lives easier.
Sadly, Maya's innocent dream was tainted through her partnership with Killian, who uses Extremis for terrorism. As Tony points out, Maya sacrificed her morals to enact her plans and violated everything they stood for. She realizes this and attempts to make amends, but is killed by Killian before she can make progress.