Protagonists with phyiscal disability

RylenolFlu · Feb 2, 2008

Just a quick question, I'm working on a script right now where I am debating whether or not to give my protagonist a disability (leg limp) who is called upon and must respond, ironically, in a very physical manner. If anyone wouldn't mind mentioning a couple films where this type of thing happens it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

JoNightshade · Feb 2, 2008

Well, the obvious... 3:10 to Yuma.

Incidentally if you do a search for thread titles with "disability," I believe there are two or three discussions about this (mostly in relation to novels, I think).

nielsty · Feb 3, 2008

Daredevil (haven't seen it so I'm not sure if his blindness is a disability)
The Bone Collector (sort of)
Sin City (Hartigan's heart)

I guess it's just another way of putting obstacles in front of your protag to make the road more bumpy.

HeronW · Feb 3, 2008

House--the TV show re: a Dr has a bum hip, Also ER had a female Dr with a bad leg. Sherlock Holmes was a cocaine addict--7% solution, Monk the detective has OCD, plenty of MC's with disabilities, disorders, and problems in literature.

icerose · Feb 3, 2008

On ER the main surgical doctor also eventually lost his arm. That would be a major problem.

LIVIN · Feb 3, 2008

nielsty said:
Daredevil (haven't seen it so I'm not sure if his blindness is a disability)

This was more of a help than a hindrance, fyi, improving all his other senses... to possibly unbelievable extremes.

Homewrecker · Feb 3, 2008

Continuing in the comics genre, Bat Girl became Oracle after a run in with Joker left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Movies: Audrey Hepburn's character was blind in Wait Until Dark.
Jimmy Stewart's character is wheelchair bound in Rear Window as was Monty Woollee's character in Man Who Came to Dinner, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Misery, & Ironside.

Kunta Kinte had his toes on one foot lopped off in Roots.

I also have a vague memory of movie about a profiler with agoraphobia (sp) who had to work out of her home.

Cheers

Flu · Feb 4, 2008

Homewrecker said:
I also have a vague memory of movie about a profiler with agoraphobia (sp) who had to work out of her home.

Copycat, with Sigourney Weaver.
There's also The Bone Collector, with Denzel as a paralyzed cop.

Both slightly more impeding than a limp.

Pamster · Feb 4, 2008

Look at the television series, The Dead Zone, Johnny Smith, the psychic character has a limp and used to have a cane in the earlier seasons, and he had to do very physical things at times.

There is also the movie of the same name with the same character you could rent, or see on Cinemax right now on Demand if you have digital cable.

Protagonists with phyiscal disability

RylenolFlu

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

nielsty

I write my own stunts

HeronW

Down Under Fan

icerose

Lost in School Work

LIVIN

Homewrecker

Intranational Mystery Woman

Flu

Pamster

Counting Stars