How to Be A Good (or Bad) Movie Friend
Assorted Flavors features listicles and other movie-related goodies.
Great friendships are some of the most unforgettable parts of the best movies, but toxic friendships can be just as memorable. I started thinking about some iconic movie pairings, and I came up with some traits that make movie friends stand the test of time—for better or worse.
1. A good friend backs you up, but a bad friend plots your downfall.
The Good: Samwise Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings
Sam is morally drawn to accompany Frodo to Mordor, but he doesn’t have to; he could wait along with the rest of The Shire to find out whether he’s orc food. But Sam becomes indispensable to the mission, braving his own fears and insecurities to walk alongside Frodo through fire and brimstone to destroy the One Ring.
Other examples: Donkey (Shrek), Louise Sawyer (Thelma & Louise), Fezzik (The Princess Bride), Rod Williams (Get Out).
The Bad: Antonio Salieri, Amadeus
Salieri is never really a friend—he plots against Mozart from the very beginning. Salieri befriends Mozart solely to gain proximity to his music, then attempts to taunt God by planning to killing Mozart and taking his place as the top banana of the classical game. Mozart never even finds out about Salieri’s treachery. Isn’t that sad? What a bad friend.
Other examples: Tom Ripley (The Talented Mr. Ripley), Oliver Quick (Saltburn), Regina George (Mean Girls), Teddy (Memento).
2. A good friend overcomes their questionable morals to bond with you, but a bad friend puts themselves first.
The Good: The Jackass crew
Individually, the guys are rough around the edges, but the Jackass friendship is pure. The pranksters almost always target themselves or each other rather than unwitting bystanders, and everyone suffers pretty equally. Misery apparently loves company. Their friendship is infectious to viewers because there is a clearly perceivable bond between the crew amid all the embarrassing and painful moments.
Other examples: Dom Toretto (The Fast and the Furious), Trent Walker (Swingers), Masha (The King of Comedy).
The Bad: Lily and Doug, The Devil Wears Prada
Part of the Millennial Canon of Bad Friends, Lily and Doug accept gifts from Andy minutes before they force her to miss a call from Miranda by playing hot potato with her phone. Of course, they’re technically right about her job: Miranda is a tyrant, and although Andy is a sellout, she still deserves better workplace treatment. Still, Andy deserves more mature and empathetic friends. (Anne Hathaway’s characters have a lot of trouble with friends. In addition to Prada, she suffers mistreatment or has no true friends in Bride Wars, Les Misérables, Brokeback Mountain, Rachel Getting Married, and, in my opinion, The Princess Diaries. Be nice to Anne Hathaway!)
Other examples: Peter Parker (Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man series), Dewey Finn (School of Rock), Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Scott Favor (My Own Private Idaho).
3. A good friend admits when they’re wrong, but a bad friend doubles down with physical harm.
The Good: Eli Cash, The Royal Tenenbaums
Forever jealous of the Tenenbaums’ wealth and fame, Eli has an affair with Margot Tenenbaum behind the back of his best friend Richie (who is also Margot’s brother). But after a series of drug-fueled mistakes, he faces his own demons and apologizes. Because Owen Wilson’s performance is so sincere, Eli is ultimately a good friend.
Other examples: Lady Bird and Julie (Lady Bird), Neal and Del (Planes, Trains and Automobiles), The Style Boyz (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), Jess and Jules (Bend It Like Beckham).
The Bad: Woody, Toy Story
Also out of jealousy, Woody knocks Buzz Lightyear out of Andy’s bedroom window into the bushes below. But instead of apologizing, he lies about it, fights Buzz at the gas station, and later lies to Hamm, Slinky, and the gang about Buzz’s depressive (and one-armed) condition at Sid’s house. Sure, by the end, Buzz does “got a friend” in him, but Woody’s early violence hurts his case.
Other examples: Billy Loomis and Stu Macher (Scream), Veronica Sawyer (Heathers), Carl Bruner (Ghost), Padraic and Colm (The Banshees of Inisherin).
4. A good friend has a shared catchphrase.
The Good: Bill and Ted, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
“Most triumphant!” Let’s bring this one back, people.
The Good: Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
“Shake and bake!” Yes, Cal steals Ricky’s family for a little while, but he makes up for it in the end.
The Good: Timon and Pumbaa, The Lion King
“Hakuna matata!” It means no worries (for the rest of your days), like what friends who share a catchphrase have.