Isn’t it fascinating how a character's confidence can be so compelling… until it tips over into outright arrogance? That moment when they believe their own hype, and the audience collectively groans? It’s a delicious dramatic arc, and cinema is full of examples. We love to watch characters fall from grace, especially when that fall is fueled by an inflated sense of self.
Think about it – hubris, as the Greeks called it, isn't just a character flaw; it's a narrative engine. It creates conflict, drives plot, and ultimately allows for (hopefully) meaningful growth or devastating consequences. And honestly, who hasn’t encountered someone like that in their life? That person who thinks they know everything, who dismisses dissenting opinions with a wave of the hand? We see them everywhere, and film lets us explore those dynamics in a safe, dramatic space.
The films you listed offer some really interesting perspectives on this theme. "Stopping the Steal," for instance, isn't about one individual necessarily, but it showcases how a collective belief – a shared sense of righteousness – can morph into a dangerous form of conceit. The conviction that they were right, and everyone else was wrong, blinded those involved to reality and fueled an incredibly damaging sequence of events. It’s a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked certainty.
Then you have "Tin Soldier," where The Bokushi embodies this perfectly. He's charismatic, he commands loyalty, but his belief in his own infallibility leads him down a destructive path. Nash’s quest for revenge isn’t just about personal loss; it’s about dismantling that inflated ego. It reminds me a little of Walter White in Breaking Bad, how the initial confidence in his abilities slowly curdled into an almost terrifying sense of superiority.
But conceit doesn't always manifest as outright villainy. "The King and I" offers a more nuanced take. While King Mongkut isn’t necessarily malicious, his rigid adherence to tradition and his initial dismissal of Anna’s ideas stem from a belief in the inherent correctness of his own worldview. It’s less about malice and more about a deeply ingrained sense of superiority – a common pitfall for those in positions of power.
Even José Renato's solitary journey in "I Travel Because I Have to, I Come Back Because I Love You" touches on this. His initial detachment, his assessment of the landscape as barren and neglected, hints at a self-absorption that blinds him to the beauty and complexity around him. It’s a quieter form of conceit, but just as potent in its isolating effect.
Ultimately, exploring characters consumed by their own perceived brilliance is endlessly compelling because it reflects something fundamental about human nature. We all have moments where we overestimate our abilities or dismiss alternative perspectives. Film allows us to examine those flaws, to cringe at the consequences, and perhaps – hopefully – learn a little something along the way.
What films do you think best exemplify this "hubris trap"? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
