The movie Mark Hamill wanted everyone to know wasn’t his favourite: “I thought it would be clever”
For many cinephiles, there is nothing more thrilling and terrifying than being asked to describe your favourite films of all time, with many of us overthinking each answer and trying to capture our taste in a handful of films. It can feel like an impossible task – do you go with something obscure to make you look more intelligent than you actually are? Or pick something well-known film from your favourite style/genre to give a broad example?
It’s a dilemma that now feels more widespread given the rise of platforms like Letterboxd and the four favourites interviews, with actors and filmmakers being asked to quickly describe the films that mean the most to them in the entire world in a succinct and concise fashion. While the Criterion closet tour allows more time for those inside to gush and listlessly describe their favourite films, this format does not allow such liberties, which would imaginably be a fairly stressful experience for many.
This is a pressure that got to Mark Hamill, with the actor hastily giving an answer he didn’t truly believe when asked about his top film of all time, later going back on his word to rectify it and profess his love for a less high-brow project.
Hamill is one of the most beloved action heroes of all time, with the actor playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise and forging a global fanbase through this one role. While he hasn’t appeared in other films that reached the same heights as George Lucas’ sci-fi fantasy, his legacy is forever cemented through his involvement in the series and portrayal of cinema’s most grounded hero.
Given his status as a Hollywood icon, it’s only fair that many people ask about his love for other movies and the stories that influenced his journey, with the actor seemingly arriving from out of the blue and launching to stratospheric heights of stardom. However, while some people might be tempted to lie, this is exactly what Hamill did while under pressure, perhaps choosing a film that wasn’t his immediate first choice.
When asked about his favourite watch, Hamill discussed his love for Watchmen, the superhero film directed by Zack Snyder that sparked an adaptation in 2019 that exceeded the success of the original. Many have described it as Snyder’s only good film, with the director being known for somewhat temperamental projects that spark division and discussion.
But while Hamill might enjoy watching the film, he later shared that he was almost tempted to highlight his love for another film that might not be as highly respected, saying on Twitter, “I thought it would be clever to answer Watchmen. Now it’s being reported as my favourite movie. And just think… I almost answered Baywatch.”
Everyone has their guilty pleasures, a concept that seemed fairly outdated given that no one has perfect taste and there are a whole host of surprising stories that touch those with even the most exquisite taste. There is no such thing as perfect taste, and this just goes to show that we all have surprising favourites that go beyond our understanding.
