Narcissism in Film and on TV

I think Deputy Barney Fife (Andy Griffith Show) was a perfect parody of a narcissist. He's meek and timid by nature, always overcompensates, prone to narcissistic injury. In this scene he brags about knowing history:



More examples:

• Setting an Example (citizen's arrest)
• Reciting the Preamble to the Constitution
• Barney's Gun
• Peter Piper, Nose-pinching Sobriety test
• Self-defense Lesson
• The Ballad of Barnie Fife
• Believing in Alladin's Lamp
• Interrogating Otis
• Scared Straight Lecture

The two best examples in modern media of what NPD actually looks like, as portrayed in fictional characters, are Basil Fawlty from Fawlty Towers, and Nicole Kidman's character from the film To Die For.

Fawlty is played by John Cleese, who tends to write NPD characters into his shows and movies and who does give off an NPD vibe himself from what I've read. Fawlty is the owner and proprietor of a bed and breakfast, which he treats as his own personal fiefdom, believing himself to be more important than he actually is, while also being extremely conflict-averse, and hiding behind his wife's skirt whenever confrontation is needed or whenever things go awry. He has no empathy, and in one episode, someone dies of natural causes in his hotel and he spends the entire episode frantically running around trying to make sure that he won't be held liable for it, while the dead body is laying there in the bed the whole time. He's also neurotic about sex and is a good example of an overt Cerebral Narcissist.

In To Die For, Kidman plays what is probably an overt Somatic Narcissist. Her character is the popular girl who has a grandiose idea of herself as a world famous news anchor, and who will stop at nothing to fulfill her destiny. She also frequently seems envious of others, needs to be seen by everyone in a specific way, and forms relationships that are exploitative in nature. She is largely unaware of what she is doing and likes to speak in lengthy monologues about herself.

Esquire wrote:Fawlty is the owner and proprietor of a bed and breakfast, which he treats as his own personal fiefdom, believing himself to be more important than he actually is, while also being extremely conflict-averse, and hiding behind his wife's skirt whenever confrontation is needed or whenever things go awry.

Esquire, why is it that we narcissists are conflict-averse, do you think? Just like Fawlty, I bounce from being bossy to being obsequious, but am absolutely incapable of being straightforwardly assertive, which causes me problems sometimes. I think that it is because I absolutely cannot stand being disliked by anybody. Or, being responsible for upsetting them, because then I'm in trouble, and will have to dig myself out, as you've said elsewhere.

(Sorry, solstice, I'm derailing the thread again. In answer to the question of narcissism in film and on tv, what about Stewie in Family Guy?)

Walter White (it may have really been Bryan Cranston himself coming through).

I came to the Breaking Bad party late, and watched the entire series over a period of ten days of sickness, just after the series ended.

The groggy head, the sleepless nights with useless flu medicine, and hour after hour of Walter (victim-villain) were the catalysts for me in solving a mystery about someone.

The experience moved me from confusion, hurt and helpless self-doubt to a mission of strength, understanding and forgiveness.

Breaking Bad reminded me of the series Dexter. I thought Dexter's father, Harry, seemed narcissistic.

It starts out he's Dexter's confidant, the only person who knows Dexter's psycopathy and teaching him how to be normal (and channel the "urges" into social good by killing the people who deserve it, the "code"). But, then you find out Harry wasn't as altruistic as Dexter was led to believe. Harry had an affair with Dexter's mother. Harry was using the mother as an informant, leading to the event which made Dexter the way he was.

It seemed like Harry was imposing perfection on Dexter. Holding him to a standard Harry didn't live to.

Dr. Zachary Smith in the old 1960's Lost In Space television series. His grandiosity is what I always thought of as narcissism. He's why I didn't see myself this way (not realizing there is a covert type. He's a prototype of the harsh inner-critic in my head.).

He stowed away on the spacecraft, causing it to be lost in space. In every episode he engages in the same behavior. He'll switch from fake ingratiation, to haughtiness, to self-entitled careless behavior which puts everyone at risk of peril on some remote planet.

Later in life he discusses his character. Lots of scenes:

http://youtu.be/D_ubwE3IJhY

Walt Disney's "The Kid". The narcissistic perfectionist. Mild/fragile NPD.

http://youtu.be/-8hfyRVR-S0

" Does This Mean We're Married" (1991). Two non clinical Fragile Ns (male an avoidant) find each other. The final scene of the film shows that the director is self aware.

Hercule Poirot played by David Suchet, my favourite show probably.....

easyfromhere wrote:Hercule Poirot played by David Suchet, my favourite show probably.....

That brings to mind Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes. Here's 3 minutes of high-minded insults. (I like the one where he says "I envy you so much. Your mind, straightforward, simplicity, barely used."):