Well How Do You Like That?

The 90's movie "The Firm" is a good thriller. I just rewatched it and it holds up very well. Recently I picked up the book to check it out.

Even though I've watched the movie several times over the years, I got less than a third into the book and put it down months ago.

The characters and plot are very close to the same, at least so far - the downside for me is that I didn't like any of the characters. The biggest problem was Mitch, the main character. He reads as arrogant to me. Even though he's a hardworking, honest guy who pulled himself up from humble beginnings to ace law school and the bar, the guy in the book feels like a jerk to me.

In the movie, Tom Cruise as Mitch is a hardworking, honest guy who pulled himself up from humble beginnings but he's super likable. It could be the charisma of Tom Cruise - but there is also a scene of Mitch working as a waiter while interviewing for positions as a lawyer, and his earnestness and vulnerability with his wife that don't show up in the book (at least to me).

Actually, all of the characters (particularly the small time, semi-criminal types who end up helping Mitch) are very likable in the film. Again, it's a great cast of actors. In the book, there is a hardness and coldness to these supporting characters in comparison.

The book is a John Grisham bestseller, a massive hit I'm sure, so I don't know if it's just me.

But I far prefer the sketchy or criminal characters who are honorable, like in the film version. This is probably a lot less realistic, though, for those kinds of characters to be as good-hearted as they are in the film. I believe this was done purposely and skillfully by Sydney Pollack, the director of the film version. The waiter scene, giving Abby the flower, and Mitch's backflipping alongside the kid on the street were very helpful as far as making Mitch a more likable hero. The shady characters were written to be softer, more good-hearted and honorable characters. The charm and talent of the actors helped, but much credit must be given to the screenplay and director.

It was a surprising contrast, my reaction to the film versus the book.

I think a big problem for a character's likability, at least for me, is arrogance or elitism. If a character looks down on others too much, or too often it really disengages me. I don't like that quality in real life either, of course, and don't like it whenever it shows up in my own thoughts. It's probably an unappealing quality for most people - I'm sure there are other qualities that are off-putting in characters.

How do you make your characters likable? Other than having them portrayed by a running Tom Cruise?

What qualities make a character likable - or unlikable - to you?

okay, i gotta run! See you next time!



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