8. Randy Parker - A Christmas Story
Millions of people cherish Jean Shepard's beloved "A Christmas Story" as a classic tale of growing up, and Bob Clark's film version is probably the most viewed Christmas movie ever, thanks to cable television. Those who connect with the story tend to connect with Ralphie, who narrates us through his family's holiday time with Shepard's wonderful sarcastic, dry wit. His little brother, however, is a bit of more of a background comic relief without much narrative attention. I can relate to the little guy because I too was a fan of getting food on my face at that age. Once again though, I ask you to pull back the veil of movie classicism and think about little Randy Parker. Sure, he is younger than Ralphie. He is prone to clinging to his mother's side and fearing his slightly explosive father, while Ralphie is of the age where he can examine the two parents from equal distances. What do we see of Randy in the film? He hides in cupboards and eats with no hands while his mother coaxes him on as an oinking pig. A cute moment? Sure, but take a situation like this and move it forward through the kid's life. Who knows what kind of stuff he's doing as a teenager?