13. Donald Kaufman - Adaptation
Adaptation isnt the easiest film to explain. Its writer, Charlie Kaufman, struggled to adapt a book into a film, so he instead wrote a film about a man named Charlie Kaufman struggling to adapt a book into a film. The fictional Charlie Kaufman solves the problem by writing a film about a man named Charlie Kaufman struggling to adapt a book into a film Anyway, the real victim of the tale is his brother Donald (who isnt based on a real person). Both brothers are played by Nicolas Cage (and no, thats not why hes an unlucky character- Ill have no Cage-bashing round these here parts), and Charlie ends up dragging Donald into a dangerous and slightly insane scheme involving killer crocodiles, murderous journalists on strange foreign drugs, and wacky car chases. And Donald follows his brother all the way, even though hes already a millionaire and could be living it up in a palace made of money and fun.
12. Ned Plimpton - The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
When we first meet Ned Plimpton (played by Owen Wilson) in Wes Andersons The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, his mother has just died, and he thinks Steve Zissou (played by Bill Murray) is his father. I know what youre thinking, youre thinking but how could anybody with Bill Murray for a father be considered unlucky?, and I suppose you have a point, but the barrage of misfortune that plagues him throughout the film may outweigh even this great joy. He gives Zissou his inheritance to fund his latest expedition, and joins him on the trip. He is loathed by the rest of the team for his lack of knowledge and special status as Zissous potential son, he conflicts with his father over a woman, he discovers that Zissou isnt his father after all, and then ends the film the only way somebody with his luck can.