Movie mentors: Inspiring big-screen gurus we’d love on speed dial

At the end of last year, over 82 million households debated the sexual appeal of silverware and sideburns (sometimes in front of family) as Netflix’s smash hit Bridgerton became their self-declared most-watched series ever.

That is until audiences traded in corsets for crane kicks as the platform’s other critically acclaimed series Cobra Kai was crowned the ultimate streaming champion for the first week of 2021 with a Nielsen reported 2.1 billion minutes viewed.

The Karate Kid continuation of the La Russo/Lawrence saga proves nostalgia is still king, or more accurately, Sensei, and with its third season arc exploring the origins of fan-favorite characters John Kreese and Mr. Miyagi, who represent both the light and dark (or more appropriately, yin and yang) of movie mentoring, what better time than now to chronicle a handful of characters that dish out much-needed motivation.

Hollywood loves to show captivating coaches, teachers, and even anthropomorphic creatures, and while we couldn’t include every mentor from the endless list of possibilities, this handful of obvious and non-obvious choices in no particular order deserve a little appreciation for their tutelage.

Cher Horowitz – Clueless (1995)

Notable student(s): Tai Frasier

Cher takes her cues from Jane Austen’s Emma (the inspiration for the film) but also reminds us of such wisdom that the Statue of Liberty does not say RSVP on it and that Ren and Stimpy are basically Sartre and Nietzche. She loves to help people, something she learned from a book in ninth grade and she’ll always look fabulous while doing it. Mentoring new student Tai is rewarding enough, but doing it alongside ageless Paul Rudd also has its perks.

Danny O’Shea – Little Giants (1994)

Notable student(s): Little Giants Pee Wee Football Team

Danny goes head-to-head with his arrogant local-legend brother Kevin (who chews gum like it’s his part-time job) and stands up for a group of outcasts who just want to be included. In the process, Danny inspires the town, regains his confidence along with his players, and empowers his daughter (the most talented player on the field) by giving her a chance to shine. The only disservice this nineties gem is guilty of, however, is not forcing John Madden (who cameos in the film) to include “The Annexation of Puerto Rico” as a playable option in one of his games.

Gandalf – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Notable student(s): Frodo Baggins & The Fellowship

A wise and selfless wizard who arrives precisely when he means to, Gandalf’s role as mentor to Frodo Baggins and protector of the Fellowship is one of immense importance as he leads them to defeat Sauron and destroy the Ring of Power. Despite his outward appearance as a harmless and bearded old man, he can throw down with pretty much anyone. He also provides the perfect four-word phrase for bouncers to use when unsavory customers enter their establishment.

Annie Sullivan – The Miracle Worker (1962)

Notable student(s): Helen Keller

Helen Keller has been an inspirational figure for decades and her rise to that role was due in part to her teacher and titular “miracle worker” Annie Sullivan. Half-blind herself and a former student of the school she worked for, Annie refuses to let Helen fail by relying on her unflappable demeanor and lack of pity that on the surface may seem harsh but proved to be a gift for Helen’s development into becoming the woman she was destined to be.

Coach Herman Boone – Remember The Titans (2000)

Notable student(s): T.C. Williams High School Titans

Tasked with more than just winning football games, Coach Boone fights the uphill battle of tearing down the racial divide between his players at the recently integrated T.C. Williams High School. He rules with an iron fist, but also deeply cares about his players and the opportunities the game of football can provide to them to be the necessary change for good. Plus, not many can spit a monologue like Denzel. He could read a grocery list and we’d still be front row.

Dr. Emmett Brown – Back to the Future (1985)

Notable student(s): Marty McFly

Doc Brown provided Marty McFly with the most enviable after-school education (aside from that bullet-laden parking lot plutonium deal) by giving him the chance to be a mentor to his own father with various hijinks and guitar solos in-between. Doc’s greatest lesson to his young protegé, however, is that anything is possible. Even time travel. And this eccentric inventor with his wacky hairstyle and iconic catchphrase is definitely a loyal partner for all times.

Terence Fletcher – Whiplash (2014)

Notable student(s): Andrew Neiman

Demanding, manipulative, and at times abusive, power-hungry Fletcher is an example of a good teacher gone bad pushing his students to their physical and emotional limits to achieve perfection. Whether his methods were right or wrong (or better served as a motivational Peloton instructor), Fletcher’s star pupil and perpetual punching bag Andrew Neiman eventually gets the best of him by transforming his verbal vitriol into the necessary fuel that leads him to success.

Mary Poppins & Maria von Trapp – Mary Poppins (1964), The Sound of Music (1965)

Notable student(s): The Banks Family & The von Trapp Family

Forever changing the lives of the Banks and von Trapp families (and the expectations of all our caregivers) Dame Julie Andrews achieved what could arguably be considered the greatest one-two punch of cinematic performances. She completely embodied the strict but sweet nanny who taught us every job needs an element of fun and her free-spirited novice nun was a desperately needed force for good in the darkest of times. Let’s be honest though, just having Andrews herself as a mentor, with or without the magic bag, would be just as epic.

Mufasa – The Lion King (1994)

Notable student(s): Simba

Destined for a tragic end (which usually happens when you’re inspired by The Bard) Mufasa is the proud ruler of his animal kingdom and only wants the best for his son Simba as he grooms him for the throne. The transition of power happens earlier than expected and is clearly not peaceful, but Mufasa’s wisdom, teachings, and spiritual guidance point Simba on the right path to save his kingdom due in great part to the commandingly smooth vocals of James Earl Jones.

William Somerset – Se7en (1995)

Notable student(s): Detective David Mills

Morgan Freeman’s gritty portrayal of a world-weary and cynical detective did his best to show his new partner Mills the right path. Like every parent of a rambunctious child, Somerset’s pleas to not do something under any circumstance were ignored and Mills tragically couldn’t resist finding out the contents of that infamous box, making way for one of the most shocking endings in film history. Somerset may have failed in his mentorship, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.

Alfred Pennyworth – Batman Begins (2005)

Notable student(s): Bruce Wayne/Batman

We all know the story of how Batman’s parents died. It’s the origin story we’ve seen Ad nauseum. Alfred is the unsung hero of Bruce Wayne’s development as a man and integral to his success as Batman. More than a servant, field medic, or surrogate father, Alfred is the one constant in Bruce’s life and as the steady voice in his ear keeps Bruce, or more importantly, Batman, from going too far. Robin gets all the credit, but Alfred is Batman’s true sidekick.

Vida Boheme/Noxeema Jackson – To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

Notable student(s): Chi Chi Rodriguez & The Residents of Snydersville, Nebraska

Inspired by their guardian angel/autographed photo of Julie Newmar, Vida and Noxeema take a cross-country road trip to Hollywood and in the process change the lives of their protegé and third-wheel Chi-Chi Rodriguez (who eventually goes from princess to queen) and the townspeople of Snydersville, Nebraska through the use of love, fashion, and standing up to intolerance. Their greatest lesson? Believe in yourself, imagine good things, and moisturize.

Master Splinter – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Notable student(s): Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo

Raising teenagers is hard. Raising teenagers who are anthropomorphic mutant turtles is even harder. Especially when all they want to do is eat pizza. If it wasn’t for the zen-guidance and ninja training of the fab four that surrogate parent Splinter provides, the world and its sewers wouldn’t be as safe. The ooze that created them all may be of mysterious origin but one thing is clear: Splinter’s influence on the most fearsome fighting team deserves a hearty cowabunga.

Jaime Escalante – Stand and Deliver (1988)

Notable student(s): James A. Garfield High School Students

In the familiar mold of a teacher who sees untapped potential from their overlooked students, Escalante is actually based on a real person and brought to life by Edward James Olmos. His strategy consists of allowing no free rides and absolutely no excuses. He expects hard work, full attention, and above all else, “ganas” or desire. He stands up for his students when no one else will and helps them navigate racial and economic discrimination to control their own futures.

Morpheus – The Matrix (1999)

Notable student(s): Thomas “Neo” Anderson

Devoting his life to finding “The One”, Morpheus, rebel captain of the Nebuchadnezzar seeks out Thomas “Neo” Anderson to release his mind from the prison known as The Matrix, and inform him of war raging against the robots for the future of the human race. Steadfast and selfless, Morpheus is the epicenter of wisdom and guidance (who knows how to nail a rhetorical question) and if he offers you a red or blue pill, you know which one to choose.

John Keating & Sean Maguire – Dead Poets Society (1989), Good Will Hunting (1997)

Notable student(s): Welton Academy English Students & Will Hunting

Keating and Maguire embrace the idea of seizing opportunities, with one famously preferring the Latin translation. Keating balked at the strict traditional education system and inspired his students to look within the words on the page. Maguire also used words to inspire, but in his case, it was only four, “It’s not your fault”, that helped prodigy Will Hunting make an emotional breakthrough. What is their secret? The genius of Robin Williams playing against type and tugging at our heartstrings.

Mickey Goldmill – Rocky (1976)

Notable student(s): Rocky Balboa

When it comes to grizzled boxing trainers dishing out tough love so fighters reach their true potential, Mickey is the benchmark. The grizzled and short-tempered trainer might not exactly be the Shakespeare of the squared circle, but alongside an unorthodox training regimen, he has verbal zingers like nobody’s business. Rocky wasn’t victorious against Apollo Creed, but that didn’t matter, because, with Mickey’s help, he proved that he simply deserved to be there.

Katsumoto – The Last Samurai (2003)

Notable student(s): Nathan Algren

19th century Japan is in the throes of industrialization as Katsumoto, a well-respected and honorable warrior who is willing to die for his principles fights to prevent the way of the samurai from being rendered obsolete by the adoption of western military tactics. This soft-spoken and wise leader imparts his wisdom on American soldier Nathan Algren who joins his rebellion in the hopes of preserving the ideals of bushido in an ever-changing world.

Miss Honey – Matilda (1996)

Notable student(s): Matilda Wormwood

Good teachers provide a safe learning environment and great teachers acknowledge if one of those students needs extra care. Miss Honey quickly recognizes the unique talents of Matilda and sympathizes with her as they’ve both been mistreated by their family. After shielding Matilda from her apathetic parents and her own tyrannical step-aunt, Miss Honey realizes that the best guardian to nurture Matilda, is in fact, herself, and luckily for her Matilda wholeheartedly agrees.

Yoda – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Notable student(s): Luke Skywalker

If mentoring skills were solely based on years of experience, Yoda easily takes the cake with over 800 centuries of training Jedi to reach their full potential. He also proves that you don’t have to look like The Rock to be powerful. Although, imagining Dwayne Johnson as Yoda is a fun thought experiment. His talents need no introduction as we know how it turned out for his students. With gems like, “The greatest teacher, failure is”, how could you not be successful?

Mr. Miyagi – The Karate Kid (1984)

Notable student(s): Daniel LaRusso

Perhaps the most obvious choice on this list, but who could argue? Regardless if you subscribe to the theory that Daniel is the actual villain in The Karate Kid films, Miyagi has always been pure. He strengthens Daniel’s mind and body, advocates for a fair fight with Cobra Kai, and his unconventional teaching methods proved inspiring to countless eighties kids who surprised their families by actually wanting to wax, sand, and paint because if Daniel does it, it must be cool.

Ms. Norbury – Mean Girls (2004)

Vito Corleone – The Godfather (1972)

Sgt. Emil Foley – An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

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