MovieChat Forums > Grand Prix (1966) Discussion > Didn't like it because main character is...

Didn't like it because main character is completely unsympathetic.

posted 13 years ago by intexor
4 replies | jump to latest

How are we supposed to root for this guy? He starts of by making an error that almost kills his teammate. He then runs of with the wife of his teammate. He is shown time and time again to basically care about nobody but himself and his status as a racing driver. Yet he is the main character and we are supposed to want him to be victorious. I liked it for the racing scenes but the story in between them is mostly a waste of time. Not that this is strange for a sports movie.

[–] robin-moss2 12 years ago

We aren't supposed to root for the character. We are expected gradually to understand him, just as we are with all the other main characters.

There are many good films where the main character is unsympathetic.

[–] batvette 11 years ago

He's a race driver, being ruthless is part of the job.

I know you are but what am I?

[–] zod9992000 11 years ago

Well, he didn't make an error at Monaco - the gearbox failed. He raised his hand, as required by the sport, to indicate he was stopping. Like the OP said they're all cold, ruthless competitors.

[–] liscarkat (19416) a year ago

It's not necessary to like the characters in a novel or film for the story to be interesting. Having to like the characters is juvenile. Besides, Garner's character was not unsympathetic.