JOHN TRAVOLTA: THE GIFT OF MAKING THE UNLIKEABLE LIKEABLE
For the record, I’m a fan of John Travolta. Not every movie he’s in is a winner, but that’s not his fault. Honestly, there are few actors that can own the screen. He’s one of them. A big part of why I think he’s talented, is he can take a character that’s just a fucking asshole, and make him likeable. Especially in the 70’s. I’m here to break it down for you. I understand that his reputation is tarnished based on his commitment to Scientology, or these odd gay jokes (as seen on Family Guy) that I still don’t care what that’s all about. But as I said before, I’m not interested in an actors personal shit. I care about they’re body of work. So…let’s get started.
1- Vinnie Barbarino (Welcome Back Kotter)- “What?…Where?”
I won’t go into “Boy in a Plastic Bubble.” Was an overall likeable character, and it doesn’t apply here.
2- Billy Nolan (Carrie)- “You are totally fucked up! That’s it…I’m convinced.”
Nancy Allen boyfriend/sidekick in Carrie. Helps to plot the prank that eventually is the linchpin that burns the prom to the ground. A piece of shit. Smacks his girlfriend, drives drunk, kills a pig with a sledgehammer, and helps pull the cord. You know…the cord connected to the bucket of pig blood that eventually causes poor Cassie (I mean Carrie) White to snap. However, theres a simple minded innocence to his character. No matter how dark the situation is he can make it humorous. Examples: His buddy can’t kill a pig, Billy gives him shit “Can’t do it from standing back here. Get er done man, Get er done.”
As Carrie takes the stage with Tommy Ross, Billy chills with Chris under the stage. With a beer in one hand, Billy says “Damn that Carrie sure is cute.” Even in his last moments, Chris tries to run blood soaked Carrie over, while Billy is riding shotgun. Shit faced, and struggling to keep his eyes opened, he wipes the beer off his mouth, has his last second “What the fuck?” look, and dies in a fiery car wreck. Bye Billy.
3- Tony Manero (Saturday Night Fever) -”Would you just watch the hair?”
Yes..yes he’s got the moves. Most popular cat at the 2001. Everyone in the neighborhood wants to be Tony. Has a job, spends evenings working on his moves, tries to make it home for family dinner, and even though his father treats him like shit still loves his family. However, he’s a racist, a womanizer, a date rapist, a homophobe, and once again a member of another half ass gang. What makes this character so compelling is his desperation to build a better life for himself. Even though he’s the leader of his group of friends, he wants nothing to do with them, and is terrified to turn out just like them. Of course one of the most touching moments, is when he sits on the park bench with his dance partner and tells her everything about the Brooklyn Bridge.
A real good way for a scumbag to redeem himself is seeing his environment for how bad it is, and wanting to better himself. Case in point, the final dance contest: He knows the hispanic couple were the real winners, but because the dance club is soaked in racism, Tony wins the contest. He takes the money and the trophy and hands it over to the real winners. Of course, 2 minutes later he tries to rape his dance partner, but makes amends with her at the end of the movie.
4- Danny Zucko (Grease)- “Sloppy seconds ain’t my style.”
Starts off a great guy. Running on the beach with Sandy, the ideal girlfriend. Dressed in blue and white, promising Sandy they will always be together. Fast forward to Rydell High. Dressed in black, leader of the T-Birds, and shoots down Sandy in a cold fucking way. What makes this character likeable, is his internal struggle. He really wants to be with Sandy, but doesn’t want to get shit from his friends. Sounds petty…but hey…that’s high school. My favorite moment is Danny trying out for school sports hoping to win Sandy back. John’s natural comedic talent really shines in that scene. Of course in the end, Danny dresses like a preppie, Sandy dresses like a bad girl, and they both ride off into the sky (yeah I know…the sky) and live happily ever after. Chances are Sandy’s parents hate Danny, Sandy goes to college, Danny becomes a mechanic, and they break up. Danny gets the kids every other weekend.
5- Bud Davis (Urban Cowboy)- “God damn it…Mc Donalds again!”
Hard working, hard drinking, ego maniacal wife beater. Spends every night at Gilley’s getting drunk riding the mechanical bull. Smacks his wife Sissy for riding the bull behind his back. Has to be the center of attention. Grabs a new girl Pam and leaves with her right in front of his wife. Damn. Now that’s a cowboy. Of course what makes this character likeable is the humor John brings to the character. Throwing the hamburger at the waitress hitting Scott Glenn instead. Also, like most characters John plays, they seem to always learn from they’re mistakes. Bud is no different. After his uncle Bob dies, he wins the bullriding contest, and realizes how much he loves his wife. Finding out that Sissy is getting her ass kicked by Scott Glenn (Wes Hightower), the movie ends with Bud fucking Wes up. He grabs Sissy, gets in his pick up, puts her license plate back in the window, and heads on home.
6- Jack Terry (Blow Out)- “It’s a good scream…good scream.”
Ok, this one is tricky. Blow Out is in my Top 5 favorite films of all time. Awesome thriller. My favorite Brian DePalma film as well. Jack Terry is generally a pretty good guy. Sound effects artist for sleazy slasher films. Doesn’t hesitate to dive into the river and save Sally (Nancy Allen) from drowning. Even hangs out at the hospital and tolerates the harrasment the detective gives him. His biggest flaw is his obsession with the cover up that’s taking place over the politicians death. He becomes self absorbed and inconsiderate when it comes to Sally’s safety. In the end, is indirectly responsible for Sally’s murder by putting her in harms way. Then of course uses her recorded scream for the current slasher film he’s working on. A good guy that made some real bad choices.
Those are the roles that stick out for me. I believe that was John’s best roles. Of course, it would be easy to throw Vincent Vega (Pulp Fiction) into the mix. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it was another unlikeable character that brought him out of his rut. Even though I loved “Perfect” with Jaime Lee Curtis, he wasn’t playing the complexed roles that allowed him to shine. Pulp Fiction allowed him to do that…well. With the success of that came Broken Arrow, Face Off, Get Shorty, etc.
To not throw John Travolta in the same category as De Niro, Pacino, Nicholson is irresponsible. He’s a phenomenal actor that’s hypnotic to watch.
– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.
MORBID MOVIE MEMOIRS: VHS GENERATION 