Uncle Frank is the worst movie character ever.

[Tottington]

Just that!

He's a terrible human, I can't think of anyone worse.

I liked this one.

@SackofTurtles

But that’s how she’s written in the novels — strict, extremely vain, self-righteous, continually lecturing, and never acknowledges her magical powers even when the children point them out. In her view, she’s a respectable lady. Her only redeeming feature is the magic. I think I thought that was interesting when I read the series as a child, because ‘good’ magical characters were generally depicted as endlessly kind and nurturing to children in other series, whereas Mary Poppins is clearly just not very nice. Julie Andrews’ version in the film is much gentler with the children, and less vain.

Yes when I read what you wrote I remembered reading one or two of the books in late primary (I think the film blends two of the books and changes some bits?) I remember thinking what an annoying bossyboots she seemed! Then the next time I rewatched the film I couldn't unsee that. I suppose the magic dazzled me the first time around.

@GoodbyePorpoiseSpit

The principal in Saved by the Bell

What, Mr Belding?! He was lovely!

[quote honeylulu]@SackofTurtles

But that’s how she’s written in the novels — strict, extremely vain, self-righteous, continually lecturing, and never acknowledges her magical powers even when the children point them out. In her view, she’s a respectable lady. Her only redeeming feature is the magic. I think I thought that was interesting when I read the series as a child, because ‘good’ magical characters were generally depicted as endlessly kind and nurturing to children in other series, whereas Mary Poppins is clearly just not very nice. Julie Andrews’ version in the film is much gentler with the children, and less vain.

Yes when I read what you wrote I remembered reading one or two of the books in late primary (I think the film blends two of the books and changes some bits?) I remember thinking what an annoying bossyboots she seemed! Then the next time I rewatched the film I couldn't unsee that. I suppose the magic dazzled me the first time around.[/quote]
Yes, she’s awful. Then again, PL Travers was also awful in lots of ways. The Disney Mary Poppins made the character of MP nicer, but the film Saving Mr Banks left out one of the nastier decisions of PL Travers’ life — the decision to adopt a six-month-old baby who’d been farmed out to non-coping grandparents in Dublin, but to refuse his twin because of his horoscope, and then lie to the twin she adopted, dragging him around the world to a selection of quacks and gurus and telling him he was her biological child, until his twin showed up one day when they were 17. Both twins became alcoholics and led sad lives.

Julia Robert's character, Julianne, in My Best Friend's Wedding. Jealous, bitter and literally tries to sabotage her best friend's happiness. Worst main protagonist ever.

@honeylulu

As a child (and adult) I hated Mary Poppins (the character rather than the film). Vain, bossy, arrogant, supercilious ... worst of all she takes the sweet excited children to visit her uncle and they have a whale of a time having tea on the ceiling. Then when they delightedly refer to it afterwards, she mocks and gaslights them and makes out they are liars. Cunt.

Haha. I have always said Mary Poppins is an absolute narcissist.

She's a gaslighter to the nth degree.

Yes, she’s awful. Then again, PL Travers was also awful in lots of ways. The Disney Mary Poppins made the character of MP nicer, but the film Saving Mr Banks left out one of the nastier decisions of PL Travers’ life — the decision to adopt a six-month-old baby who’d been farmed out to non-coping grandparents in Dublin, but to refuse his twin because of his horoscope, and then lie to the twin she adopted, dragging him around the world to a selection of quacks and gurus and telling him he was her biological child, until his twin showed up one day when they were 17. Both twins became alcoholics and led sad lives

Oh. My. God. That is so fucked up!!!

And extremely sad for the twins.

So glad someone has mentioned Mrs doubtfire. Daniel Hilliard was the worst husband ever and I would have divorced the fuck out of him too had I come home from a hard day of grafting to an unemployed husband and a pony in my dining room.

Another Uncle Frank - ism:
When the mum first realises they left Kevin behind, and she tells the Aunt and Uncle Frank, Uncle Frank replies with 'Well I left my reading glasses at home.' Such a caring man!

To be fair, some of these characters were meant to be shits.

My Best Friend’s Wedding, Trainspotting, etc - they were black comedies, not how-to manuals.

ilikebooks Mrs Doubtfire: agreed. Especially the scene where she tries to kill Pierce Brosnan's character with pepper

Exactly, @Changechangychange. Some of these characters are bastards. Uncle Frank is supposed to be a family man... well, all of them are supposed to be a typical family. They're all horrid!

Mrs Doubtfire is a bastard but I blame the audience for thinking he's all fun and games while his ex is a miserable cow. Rather than seeing him for what he is!