Episode 7: Architect Stereotypes in the Movies [Podcast]

We’ve all seen how Architects are portrayed by Hollywood, and in many cases it amounts to a superficial brush stroke at best. But is that the case for all of the portrayals?

In this episode, Eric and I discuss a few movies that feature Architects in starring roles and we also discuss whether the role of the Architect is central to the story.

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Show Notes

Inception – 2010

Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan

Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Ellen Page

Plot Line: A skilled extractor is offered a chance to regain his old life as payment for a task considered to be impossible.

Ellen Page – Architecture Student, not an Architect. She is the heroine and a powerful feminine roll. She is the glue that holds the extraction team together.

One Fine Day – 1996

Directed by Michael Hoffman

Stars Michelle Pfeiffer, George Clooney

Plot Line: Melanie Parker, an architect and mother of Sammy, and Jack Taylor, a newspaper columnist and father of Maggie, are both divorced. They meet one morning when overwhelmed Jack is left unexpectedly with Maggie and forgets that Melanie was to take her to school.

Michelle Pfeifer is Architect, single mom living in New York City. She’s a bit of a bumbling idiot.

HouseSitter – 1992

Directed by Frank Oz

Stars Steve Martin, Goldie Hawn

Plot Line: Con artist Gwen moves into Newton’s empty house without his knowledge, and begins setting up house posing as his new wife.

Steve Martin is the Architect, build dream house.

Death Wish – 1974

Directed by Michael Werner, based on novel by Brian Garfield

Stars Charles Bronson

Plot Line: A New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad after his wife is murdered by street punks in which he randomly goes out and kills would-be muggers on the mean streets after dark.

Charles Bronson is the Architect, bleeding heart liberal.

Indecent Proposal – 1993

Directed by Adrian Lyne

Stars Robert Redford, Woody Harrelson, Demi Moore

Plot Line: A young couple very much in love are married and have started their respective careers, she as a real estate broker, he as an architect. She finds the perfect spot to build his dream house, and they get loans to finance it. When the recession hits, they stand to lose everything they own, so they go to Vegas to have one shot at winning the money they need. After losing at the tables, they are approached by a millionaire who offers them a million dollars for a night with the wife. Though the couple agrees that this is a way out of their financial dilemma, it threatens to destroy their relationship.

Woody Harrelson is the Architect, wants to build dream house.

The Towering Inferno – 1974

Directed by John Guillermin

Stars Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, Faye Dunnaway

Paul Newman is the Architect

Steve McQueen is the Fire Chief

Sleepless in Seattle – 1993

Directed by Nora Ephron

Starts Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan

Plot Line: A recently-widowed man’s son calls a radio talk show in an attempt to find his father a partner.

The Fountainhead – 1949

Directed by King Vidor

Novel by Ayn Rand

Stars Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal

An uncompromising, visionary architect struggles to maintain his integrity and individualism despite personal, professional and economic pressures to conform to popular standards.

Fear – 1996

Directed by James Foley

Stars Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William Peterson

Relevant Info: The sixteen year-old teenager Nicole Walker has moved to the house by the lake of her father, the architect Steve Walker, to live with her stepmother Laura and her brother Toby.

William Peterson is the Architect,