Ask the Best and Brightest: Who Is the Best/Worst Cinematic Car Salesman
Caution: The sycophancy and silicone in this paint-by-numbers preview may make you want to hurl. Note to Mr. Piven: those who went before salute you, albeit with a single digit. Yes, the silver screen (or flat panel HDTV) has a long history of amoral, blood-sucking, lying, cheating, scumbag car salesman. As Slate’s Matthew DeBord points out, “Don Ready” isn’t the usual sad sack salesman. A distinction without a difference? Anyway, DeBord has a nice little rundown on nine (I’ve subtracted four) automobile-selling assholes. So which one was your fave? Any additions? And have you ever met a real world car salesman to rival any of these?
Robin Williams as Joey O’Brien in Cadillac Man – MD: “His Brooklyn dealer has wife troubles, mistress troubles, and, once hostage-taking Tim Robbins shows up, guy-with-an-AK-47 troubles.” RF: If only Williams had walked away form the coke bowl.
William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo – MD “Who can forget a desperate Bill Macy trying to obscure Oldsmobile VIN numbers on a fax to his loan officer while scheming to have his wife kidnapped?” RF: Not me.
Danny DeVito as Harry Wormwood in Matilda – MD: “Harry is straight out of Used-Car Dealer 101: Everything he does is corrupt. If you’re looking for a defining example, albeit one from a British sensibility, this is it.” RF: Harry relaizes his daughter is a prodigy when she adds up the profits her Dad makes by ripping-off customers. Priceless!
Kurt Russell as Rudy Russo in Used Cars – MD: DeBord’s got nothing. RF: Ditto.
Richard Crenna as Phil Brody in The Flamingo Kid – MD: “He’s seduced by car salesman Crenna, who offers a mythical lifestyle that features … flashy imported sports cars!” RF: Not literally, ’cause that would have been WAY more interesting.
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@FreedMike Thanks allot for the update, I really appreciate it. After reading your post, I watched "The Goods". Your post was funnier do:) Thanks again for sharing your life experience with the rest of us. Best regards, Marc.