Favourite Film and TV Characters: Jaw's Matt Hooper

When thinking about characters in Steven Spielberg’s classic Jaws, many would instantaneously reminisce about Robert Shaw’s Quint. But for me Richard Dreyfuss’s performance as Matt Hooper really captures my love for the film. Jaws is undoubtably an all-time classic and would easily find its way on my Top 5 list, and that’s mainly down to the film’s characters. Even with my strong interest in sharks from my childhood, it was the interactions and contrasting personalities that really attracted me to the film. The three leads present a set of unique and memorable characters that, through the course of the film, form strong relationships and converse in “charming” exchanges. 

Hooper for me, manages to stand out amidst the sheer presence of Robert Shaw’s sublime performance. Sure he doesn’t have the quotable qualities and iconic appearance, but it’s his reactions and mentality to the events that occur that really makes him an engaging character. From his smile to his witty banter, there’s an undeniable charm that resonates and adds humanity into the terror that ensues. To be honest other than Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Goodbye Girl, I’ve never seen much of Dreyfuss’s other work. While these are arguably his most successful films, I’ve never really followed his career until seeing the dreadful Piranha 3D. That being said, from my limited viewing he always leaves a strong impression. His challenging performance in Close Encounters proved his commitment to a role, and that’s no different here in Jaws. 

Hooper’s introduction into the film is perfect. Amongst the hustle and bustle of fisherman trying to claim the bounty on the shark, there stands Hooper wearing a denim jacket trying to make sense of all the commotion. He’s presented as though he’s the “saviour” of Amity Island, even though nobody can quite quantify it. He also remains the only sane person throughout the first two acts of the film. And therefore there’s an immediately absorbing quality to his character. Additionally Dreyfuss and Spielberg thankfully didn’t simplify Hooper to fill the role of the comedic relief. On the sea, his focus and determination show his understanding of the environment and psychology. What's particularly fascinating about him is the undercurrent of contrast that dynamically makes his entire character. His rugged appearance hides his academic and wealthy background that Quint immediately questions/discredits. The early respect for Brody is flipped when they set sail to kill the shark, as he witnesses his incompetence. His changing attitude to Quint as they share stories starts to show the competition/ similarities between the two. These moulding components speak a lot for Spielbergs’ direction and Dreyfuss's exploration of the character.

Likewise, Hooper’s tone towards the rising body count is somewhat clouded by his love for sharks. And that’s a very interesting facet to him. His to-and-fro mentality throughout the course of the film, sees him constantly shift from “Wow, this is incredible” to “Oh crap, we’re going to die!”. Even with his light-hearted approach to the situation in hand, this never distracts from the film’s construction of tension, but rather enhances it. When the shark expert starts to loose his nerve, then you know for sure that the situation is bad.  

My favourite scene follows Brody and Hooper trying to convince Major Larry Vaughan to close the beaches after their discovery. Their attempts to warn him of an impending catastrophe are futile as  Hooper perfectly says “I think that I am familiar with the fact that you are going to ignore this particular problem until it swims up and BITES YOU ON THE ASS!”. I have a huge grin every single time I watch that moment.

Jaws will always remain a personal favourite. For all the sniggering at the sight of a shark jumping on the backend of a boat, the film still manages to leave a lasting impression. Its premise, its writing, its score and its characters all culminate in a film that’s had a huge impact of many people’s childhood, cinema experiences and exposure to sharks (an unfortunate one during the time of the film’s release). If I’d have been cheap, I would have simply stuck the three leads together because of the fantastic chemistry and “bromance” between them. But narrowing it down, Hooper’s charming and humorous charisma just resonates with me more on a personal level and is one taps into my “inner child” as a shark-lover. 

Favourite Film and TV Characters: Randal Graves and Dante Hicks

Kevin Smith’s low-budget, debut feature Clerks is one of my favourite comedies and would easily find itself on my Top 20 list. Filmed in black and white due to budgetary reasons, the film took the rather bland notion of following the lives of two store clerks for a day, and managed to turn it into a hilarious narration/ breakdown of society’s insignificance, the two’s fruitless romances and their general disregard for common courtesy. While the comedy-duo of Jay and Silent Bob have become crowd favourites, even embarking on their own film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, it’s the constant bickering and moaning between Randal Graves and Dante Hicks that stands out and really connects with me. 

Brian O’Halloran’s Dante Hicks is a Quick Stop Convenient Store clerk, who in his own words is “not even supposed to be at work”. At the age of 22, he lives with his parents but feels a strong sense of independence and self-control in his life. Yet while his romantic relationship with Veronica Loughran has potential, it is being tested by their frequent outbursts and previous sexual escapades. Furthermore Dante’s lingering interest in Caitlin Bree, his ex, is destroying his self-described “adequate” way of life. Meanwhile Jeff Anderson’s Randal Graves is a clerk at RST Video who couldn’t give a crap about anything except himself. He mocks customers, arrives late for work and orders porn videos in front of children. 

While I could have picked either character, the two undoubtably work together. Each has a strict sentiment towards themselves and their idea of humanity. Both believe that they are the “voice of reason”, but are deeply flawed in their egos. Randal’s cynical perspective on customers, Star Wars and the entirety of the world is an undeniably cruel and blunt commentary that you can’t help but laugh and clap in agreement with. His entire misanthropic interpretation of life is one that’s extreme, but largely understandable. Meanwhile Dante’s futile attempts to improve his own existence and maintain a solid relationship is just as superficial and tenuous as Randal and he himself eventually acknowledges. For all that Dante tries to defend his current mindset and ambitions, Randal’s philosophy justifiably quashes those aspirations in a hilarious and thought-provoking manner. Both bicker and debate, but still reinforce their friendship that withstands the even more awkward moments of Clerks 2 (which I also like). 

These maybe bland, whinny individuals who many would question their purpose or like-ability. However the constant stream of profanity, their blatant disregard for manners and their distain for their bosses, further add to their relatable personalities that’s engaging and weirdly charming. Creating these connection between the characters and the audience is essential to successfully conveying a story and the subsequent drama. Furthermore, the believability of these characters in their makeup and behaviour is important to build that attachment to them. Both Dante and Randal rest on their mannerisms and ideology, which I personally find agreement with. I’m, like many, a moaning, cynical individual who criticises everything and everyone. Whether it’s popular culture or individuals, I normally have some “witty” or frustrated remark to pointlessly add to the situation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a miserable fart that’s believes his sole purpose in life is to belittle everything. But there’s something satisfying about the act of going to the local pub and chatting about the ineptitudes of society or the crap on TV. 

Similarly the whole mundanity and drabness of a retail job is one that I myself have had the pleasure of dealing with. Whether it’s the barrage of clueless customers that ask pointless questions, or the “colourful” characters that make it their job to piss on your parade, the retail industry is one that I’ve “suffered” through. Yet even with my strong compassion towards these characters, I don’t consider Dante and Randal role models in anyway.  I’m not the sort of person who constantly “corrects” his friends’ ideology and forces mine onto others. But the strong friendship that maintains itself through the crud and social woes is one that I have with many, and am quick to cherish. Even with their constant heated confrontations and debates, both care about each others state of mind and situation. 

I guess it’s the similar attraction that many have to Daria from Daria. Dante and Randal offer a relatable duo of characters that director Kevin Smith uses to highlight some of societies “ills” and the complaints of the young and numerous. These could be the worst characters in cinema if you were to compare them to the heros and heroines of other films, but it’s the down-to-earth charm and pessimistic nature of these character, and the film, that really resonates in this sullen film watcher. 

I highly recommend Clerks 2 and Clerks: The Animated Series.