Never Fear, Underdog Is Here
Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for a good underdog story. Rudy, The Natural, The Rookie, Old School, Eight Below - all are underdog stories of one kind or another. This weekend we saw Stranger Than Fiction, which, if you haven't seen it, I'm telling you to go watch. Writers will get a lot out of it most people won't, and there were some hilarious situations only a writer could appreciate. But at the heart of this movie, it's an underdog story - about one man who normally wouldn't have any reason to do something extraordinary in his life. You root for him, even though most days you probably wouldn't even notice him if he walked by you in a crowd.I love underdog stories because they're inspiring. That's what most of my books are about - everyday people who are put in unique situations and find a part of themselves they didn't know existed. And watching underdog movies is always inspiring to me - the writer. Because it reminds me that persistence pays off, that dreams are important, that you can do whatever you want in this life if you work hard enough for it.
While at the theatre I saw the trailer for the new Will Smith movie - The Pursuit of Happyness - another underdog story. I'm looking forward to that one as well.
What are your favorite underdog stories - books or movies?
posted by Elisabeth Naughton at 1:45 PM
13Comments:
I love the original Rocky. Actually, I liked most of the others, too, but the original is an awesome underdog story.
My all time favorite underdog movie is Major League. Cheesy, yes. Classic, though. Underdog books? Too numerous to mention--most great books (IMHO) are essentially underdog stories to one extent or another. I also love underdog characters in non-underdog stories--Albert in Hitch, Ross on Friends, Sucre on Prison Break, Chloe on Smallville.
I must go see stranger than Fiction.Dh would like to go see the Will Smith movie, but I have learned from experience not to take him to movies that might make him cry:)
Teri
Ah, Christine. Rocky is definitely an underdog story. I liked tha tone too.
Wavy - I loved Major League! (I love all baseball movies, really.) And Ross is your quintessential underdog character. *sigh* I miss Friends.
Aw, Teri. What a sweet DH you have. Yes, you have to go see Stranger Than Fiction.
I don't watch enough movies.... I can't think of any because it has been so long since I've watched anything. How about Aladdin??? The grandkids watched it over and over again while they were here. Only he had the help of a genie so that probably doesn't work. Hmmm...
Can't think of any.
As for books - Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer comes to mind. Sorry, I just have never thought of underdog stories, just good stories.
Now you all think I'm a total flake because I don't analyze the books and movies I read and see! LOL
I know, how could I possibly be a writer! I just go from the gut and write, I don't analyze everything about it. Over analyzing tends to throw me in a tither and I can't write anything!
I loved the "flours" part, Piper. My DH didn't get it at first (LOL). He leaned over and said, "He brought her flower seeds in soil-filled paper bags?"
Paty, it's been ages since I read Morning Glory, but I remember really liking it. I may have to dig that one out and give it another read.
I loved Stranger than Fiction. My husband thought it was slow. :( I definitely plan to see Pursuit of Happyness.
As far as movies go, Good Will Hunting was a great underdog movie. The Fugitive. How about Sandra Bullock in most of her best movies? Two Weeks Notice, the Miss Congeniality movies, While You Were Sleeping...
Edie, my hubby thought it was a bit slow too, but he liked it.
Great underdog story suggestions. :)
I was going to say While You Were Sleeping, but I couldn't remember the name of the movie, only that Sandra Bullock was in it! LOL
My Christmas present to myself will be to see Stranger Than Fiction! It will be the first movie I've been too in 6 years!
i love underdogs too. sometimes i feel like an underdog. a chihuahua. or a st. bernard. but definitely an UNDERdog.
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