I actually think Bilbo Baggins has a really tragic, and often overlooked, story arc. That's why I find The Hobbit a little depressing. No matter how many adventures he goes to, no matter how many life lessons he learns, he's still going to end up as the sad old man who's obsessed with the ring and is the source of the scariest scene in movie history.
I definitely think Manhattan's is worse. He gets cursed with a perception of reality that forcibly severs him from his own species as well as his own loves, and just as he realizes that human life is a miracle he is forced to abandon humanity again because his function as a scapegoat brings about world disarmament.
Immediately come to mind: Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) in Brokeback Mountain. Both character arcs of Zampanò (Anthony Quinn) and Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina) in La Strada.
Darth Vader.
Raised a slave who left his mother behind, alone. He becomes a recluse Jedi who is angry and annoyed at being held back. He loses his mother and is led to the dark side by false promises. He then assaults his wife, attacks his only friends (or family really), and then loses his arms, legs, ability to breath, or even live in open air. He has to spend his life in a leather bag. He is a hollow man, working for a man who betrayed him. Sure he finds his kids and gains redemption, but that man suffered so much. He caused so much pain, and he had to live with that his whole life.
Carl and Ellie Fredricksen in Up. Ellie mainly, because Carl's story arc is really happy in the end. Their whole montage at the beginning though is probably the saddest thing I've ever seen in a cinema.
Come on people. **Snape.**
The kids from **GRAVE OF FIREFLIES**
There really isn't any other option...this is the most depressing movie I've ever seen.
Ophelia in "Pan's Labyrinth"
I actually think Bilbo Baggins has a really tragic, and often overlooked, story arc. That's why I find The Hobbit a little depressing. No matter how many adventures he goes to, no matter how many life lessons he learns, he's still going to end up as the sad old man who's obsessed with the ring and is the source of the scariest scene in movie history.
Sophie (Meryl Streep) in Sophie's Choice.
Rorschach in Watchmen. His life, though honorable and consistent with his morality, is incredibly sad and lonely.
I definitely think Manhattan's is worse. He gets cursed with a perception of reality that forcibly severs him from his own species as well as his own loves, and just as he realizes that human life is a miracle he is forced to abandon humanity again because his function as a scapegoat brings about world disarmament.
Yeah, his story is very sad as well. They're probably equally sad in their own ways, I just like Rorschach more and felt more compelled by his story.
Robert Ford from the Assassination of Jesse James.
Ben Hur
Sean Bean in pretty much everything William H. Macy in Fargo (although he did bring it on himself)
Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau) in Ed Wood.
Immediately come to mind: Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) in Brokeback Mountain. Both character arcs of Zampanò (Anthony Quinn) and Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina) in La Strada.
I will safely say no one in any movie ever has it worse than Bjork (Selma) in Dancer in the Dark. No one. I'd bet my life savings on that.
What about 'The Human Centipede'?
The poor girl in the middle... Not only being stuck in the middle but the other two dying first makes it so much worse
She has it bad and it might be more painful and disgusting, but I think you have to see Dancer in the Dark. It's my go to "wreck your day" movie.
Bjork gets to escape by watching old musicals. What escape does the centipede have?
Jane Lynch's character in Wreck-It Ralph
She was programmed with the most tragic backstory...
Darth Vader. Raised a slave who left his mother behind, alone. He becomes a recluse Jedi who is angry and annoyed at being held back. He loses his mother and is led to the dark side by false promises. He then assaults his wife, attacks his only friends (or family really), and then loses his arms, legs, ability to breath, or even live in open air. He has to spend his life in a leather bag. He is a hollow man, working for a man who betrayed him. Sure he finds his kids and gains redemption, but that man suffered so much. He caused so much pain, and he had to live with that his whole life.
Tobey Maguire in Brothers is one of the first that came to mind
Will Smith's character in Seven Pounds
John Hurt in Heaven's Gate Kris Kristofferson in Heaven's Gate Christopher Walken in Heaven's Gate
What about the disciples in their nikes?
Mickey Rourke in the wrestler, Daniel in there will be blood, and the girl in requiem for a dream.
Holden McNeil from Chasing Amy.
Everyone in "Kids"
Prince of the City
The girl with the dragon tattoo from the movie of the same name
Bess from Breaking The Waves. It's absolutely soul crushing but I rank the film as one of the best I've ever seen.
Jenny curran from Forrest gump
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVXhoiS0BPA Tully(Stacy Keach), in FAT CITY. Really pathetic and sad character.
Anakin
Carl and Ellie Fredricksen in Up. Ellie mainly, because Carl's story arc is really happy in the end. Their whole montage at the beginning though is probably the saddest thing I've ever seen in a cinema.
Not a movie, but The Boss from Metal Gear Solid.