How Very Interesting

So, my Avatar watching, and then the subsequent playing of Sweet Home Alabama when we switched off the DVD player (it was on the random cable channel the T.V. was already set to), got me thinking about a phenomenon in script writing.

What, pray tell, is the phenomenon, you ask?

Well, I'll tell you: the use of the name "Jake" (or "Jacob") for central, manly, heroic characters.

Now, now, don't scoff until you think about it for a second. Seriously, just off the top of my head, I can name five "Jakes" of the cinema (and some are from the books that preceded the movies).

And these Jakes all have commonalities. They're handsome. They're brave. They're out to save the bad guy/protect the girl/rescue the little kid/prove himself.

For example:

Since Avatar started the train of thought, we'll start with Jake Sully. He's a former Marine who is paralyzed from the waist down. But does this stop Jake from serving his country/planet? Does it stop him from going on a psychic adventure, plugged into a giant blue dude? Does it stop him from winning the girl, leading the army, and effectively freeing an entire planet from evil? NO! Exhibit A: Jake Sully. Hero, love interest, warrior. We won't talk about the fact that he delivers speeches like William Wallace (Braveheart)...and that he's also blue--you know, 'cause Wallace and his cohorts painted themselves blue [snicker].





Okay, so next up obviously has to be Jake Perry from Sweet Home Alabama. He's tall. He's a hottie!! He won't sign Melanie's divorce papers, but follows her to New York and realizes he's got to make something of himself to be worthy of her **sigh!** He owns his own company and is independent. He's a gentleman and has a bloodhound (read: manly man). And he still desperately loves Melanie to the point of being exasperatingly annoyed by her at times. In the end, Mr. Blue Eyes gets the girl. Exhibit B: Jake Perry. Rawr.








But there are more Jakes out there! One of my favorites? Jake Brigance from A Time to Kill. He's the underdog (and also HOT); a family man and loyal to his wife even when Ellen Roarke busts a move on his sweaty fineness. He's fighting for a black man in the uber white South. He faces death threats, has to send his wife and kid away for their safety, his house is burned to the ground, he loves his dog, and it looks like the slimy DA is going to win after all. But in the end, Jake is triumphant and bridges cultural and racial divides to become a hero in and out of the courtroom. Yay!!








And, who could forget everyone's favorite werewolf? Jacob "Jake" Black. (Twilight) He's heroic. He transforms into a furry four-legged critter when he gets pissed, but hates what that's done to him. He yearns for Bella and is tortured by her choice to hang with vampires and follow Edward around like a love sick puppy. He can't stand the fact that she plans to become one of them and therefore his mortal enemy. He's tanned. He's buff. He's manly. He's going to protect Bella if it kills him, literally. He's "sorta beautiful." Yet another Jake we love!


And last, but certainly, in no way least: Jake McCandles from Big Jake. Seriously, I don't even really need to say anything here. This Jake is played by the Duke himself: John Wayne. So, you know he comes with swagger. He's a cowboy. He saves his grandson. And dude's married to a chick played by Maureen O'Hara. Checkmate! Exhibit E: Jake McCandles, legendary Jake.

So, I'm sure I'm missing some, and would love some input on any "Jakes" in pop culture you've found.

Side note: Jacob became Israel in the Old Testament. Judaeo-Christan subtlety? You be the judge.

Photo sources:
Jake Sully
Jake Perry
Jake Brigance
Jacob Black
Big Jake