Some of these characters may be based on real people, but it’s hard to believe anyone is actually this flawless. These personalities are a little unbelievable, even for Hollywood.

 

It’s important for movie characters to be likable and that usually involves being a basically good person but this can be taken to extremes in many films, even when the role is based on a real person. We are left to wonder if they have any faults at all. Whether they are sickeningly sweet or too perfect for words, these eight characters are a little too good to be believed.

 

 

1. Ian Miller of My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Toula (Nia Vardalos) couldn’t have imagined that she would meet someone as great as Ian (John Corbett), because who would think that such an amazing guy really existed? With his charm, kindness, sensitivity, striking good looks and apparent lack of literally any flaws, he was a little too close to perfection in this 2002 blockbuster romantic comedy. Besides all his other admirable traits, he didn’t even mind stripping down to his swim trunks in church to be baptized in a kiddie pool and slathered with oil. Who does that? Nobody in real life.

 

 

2. Lucy Kelson of Two Weeks Notice
When Hugh Grant’s character, George Wade, called his attorney/best friend Lucy Kelson (Sandra Bullock) a saint in this 2002 romantic comedy, he wasn’t exaggerating. He found her idealism and martyrdom so intimidating, a romance between the two seemed impossible. But ultimately, Lucy inspired George to be a better person.

 

 

3. Mary Fiore of The Wedding Planner
The sweet, intelligent, beautiful, super-successful wedding planner Mary Fiore is so perfect in this 2001 rom-com, it’s hard to believe she’s alone. But that changes when she starts to spend a lot of time with a neglected groom (Matthew McConaughey), and the two fall in love, despite her best efforts to resist him. In this case it’s probably a good thing that Mary is so over-the-top likeable, even if she verges on unrealistic—otherwise it would be kind of hard to get away with the whole “other woman” thing.

 

 

4. Nancy Drew of Nancy Drew
First of all, how is it that a teenager would be able to solve all these complex mysteries, almost single-handedly? But add to this her special abilities and unusual knowledge, and she’s as superhuman as Sherlock Holmes. Nancy is particularly impressive in this 2007 family dramedy, starring Emma Roberts as the iconic sleuth whose only fault seems to be an uncontrollable compulsion to solve crimes.

 

 

5. Maria of The Sound of Music
In this 1965 musical, Julie Andrews stars as a lovely former nun who charms and endears herself to the family she goes to work for, winning the heart of the distinguished patriarch. Not only is she as sweet as an angel, she sings like one, too. The character might seem too good to be true, if she wasn’t based on a real person—that’s right, she’s modeled after an actual human being. But it’s hard to imagine that the real Maria Von Trapp could’ve been as perfect as Andrews’ depiction of her.

 

 

6. Desmond Doss of Hacksaw Ridge
Another truly extraordinary person whose story made it to the big screen is legendary soldier Desmond Doss, portrayed by Andrew Garfield. In this popular and inspiring 2016 drama, the conscientious objector insists on serving in the military during World War II, although he refuses to use a gun. He is criticized, ridiculed, beat up and almost court-martialed for his defiance, but when the chips are down, he is the biggest hero of all. Was the real Desmond Doss this flawless? It’s hard to imagine, but maybe.

 

 

7. Jane of 27 Dresses
There’s a reason why Jane is a bridesmaid 27 times in this 2008 romance comedy. It’s because she is the absolute best friend any girl could hope to have, and she’s elevated the role of bridesmaid to an art form. But when she is asked to be the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding to a man Jane is secretly in love with, she suddenly becomes much more human and we see some of her hidden flaws. Thank goodness.

 

 

8. Annie Johnson of Imitation of Life
Most mothers have to put up with a lot from their kids but few of them are treated as badly as housekeeper Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore) in this heartbreaking 1959 classic about Annie and her movie star employer (Lana Turner), focusing on the dysfunctional relationship each woman has with her own daughter. Annie is salt of the earth with her unwavering angelic spirit, patience, generosity and pure virtuous heart. She is completely devoted to her ungrateful daughter, who is ashamed of her and doesn’t realize how blessed she is to have a mother like Annie until it’s too late. While it’s a sweet story, whose mother is this saintly? Imitation of life? Not ours.