Is This the Dumbest Character in Movie History?

In 1999, Cornell psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger authored a study addressing individuals’ learning experience and their levels of confidence along the way. Over one hundred studies found that individuals with the least familiarity with any subject were most likely to overrate their abilities. However, as individuals familiarize themselves with the subject, they reach a point of consciousness that there is much more for them to learn. Their confidence thus drops. Eventually, people can reach a point of expertise in which they cannot understand the struggles of those who are on the beginning of the same path they have taken.

This study mainly addresses the journey of education being guided by humility. But most people familiar with the Dunning-Kruger effect have focused on the more comical aspect of the study. People with the least understanding of any subject are more likely to overestimate their abilities. Driven by illusory superiority, their knowledge gaps prevent them from picking up on their errors, thus accelerating their ignorance. The general impression is that someone we label as “stupid” is stuck in their benightedness.

While Dunning and Kruger were the first to publish a comprehensive psychological study about regarding this matter, they were certainly not the first to observe this phenomenon. In 1988, English comedian John Cleese wrote and starred in the heist-comedy, A Fish Called Wanda. Among the characters he created was Otto West, a self-professed intellectual whose foolishness appears unmatched in the history of movies. This is further distinguished by the fact Kevin Kline’s performance as Otto earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This is one of only two comedic performances to receive recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1929.

A stupid character is almost a pre-requisite for any comedy. If a comprehensive search of comedy movies excluded anything with unintelligent characters, we would likely be left with few options afterwards. But creating a stupid character is not simply making them resemble neanderthals. There must be a clever way to demonstrate their ignorance. What better material could a writer start with than a fool who asserts that he is an intellectual? Otto particularly prides himself by quoting the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Unfortunately, anybody familiar with the writings of Nietzsche can point out that Otto is either misquoting or grossly misinterpreting his ideas.

Being a British film, there are only two American characters. It should come as no surprise that the obnoxious and boastful Otto is one of them. After all, it is well-established that the rest of the world tends to stereotype Americans as brash and arrogant. Among the many reasons Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV was that he was considered the “least American of the Americans”. Otto cannot even admit that America lost the Vietnam War, asserting “it was a tie.” But surprisingly, the other American character is the opposite of Otto, almost a counterpart: Wanda.

In her frustration, Wanda corrects several of the falsehoods Otto has pushed, claiming that she has done her research. This implies that Wanda has already reached a point of humility, that it is possible to be wrong. Her rebuke seems to have influenced Otto, who attempts to apologize John Cleese’s character, Archie. However, he cannot even bring himself to say the words “I’m sorry”. At that same moment, Archie is faking a burglary in his home. But Otto is unaware and assumes this is an authentic robbery and proceeds to knock Archie out. When he realizes what he has done, he is briefly able to apologize. But this quickly leads to Otto pushing the blame on Archie, even lecturing him while unconscious.

“How could I know it was you?” he demands as he proceeds to curse him out and kick him.

This sequence is the only time we sympathize with Otto, as he is trying to do the right thing. But in the end, it demonstrates his inability to humble himself. He cannot accept responsibility for his words or actions, pushing the blame on others. For Otto, if he ever says or does something wrong, it is the fault of somebody else. We learn more about his character here than in any other sequence in the movie. Otto is stuck in a case of arrested development, incapable of growth, thus perpetuating his nescience. And he is completely content with this.

In the epilogue, we learn Otto became the Minister of Justice in South Africa.

In characters like Otto, we learn depicting stupidity on screen is a craft. It does not require speaking in drawls, getting hurt, or being unable to think logically. Creating idiots ultimately requires clever situations to express their foolishness. Otto is celebrated for the comprehensive depiction of his obtuseness. Characters like him are a paradox.  Otto is a notable achievement in comedy and ought to be celebrated to inspire future generations of comedians.

Who do you think is the dumbest character in movie and television history? Feel free to share in the comments section! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the City of Cinema with your friends!