39. Pvt. Pyle
Full Metal Jacket
Hartman's object of scorn, Pyle is fat and cowardly and incompetent. He's not very smart, either.
As Hartman punishes the other Privates for every time Pyle "fucks up," the other Privates begin to scorn Pyle, as well. Sgt. Hartman appoints kindly Pvt. Matthew Modine (or "Joker") to watch over and mentor Pyle to set him straight. Or else. As the punishments continue, the Privates (sans Joker) soon really start to fucking hate the guy. One night, they engage in a blanket party with Pyle (they pin him down and severely beat him with bars of soap wrapped in socks. Joker is the last to hit him and has to cover his ears to try to ignore his bunk mate sobbing in mental and physical pain.
Over a few days, Pyle grows more withdrawn and sullen. Hartman becomes very impressed with his skills with an M14 rifle, but Joker worries as Pyle starts to carry conversations with his rifle. Pyle's change from pot-bellied puss to discipline psychopath is a wonderful representation of how war can change a person, even before they actually enter the war.
Defining moment: Joker notices Pyle heading into the latrines with his rifle and live ammunition. A frightened Joker tells him to calm down lest he wakes Hartman, but Pyle just begins executing drill commands and shouting the Rifleman's Creed, awakening, guess who?, Hartman.
Hartman begins yelling at Pyle to put the gun down and, as he begins verbally abusing him, Pyle just smiles and shoot Hartman in the chest. He then turns the gun on himself and pulls the trigger in his mouth, all in front of Joker. A tragic act of the film closed on a tragic denouement (although the second act isn't exactly sunshine and lollipops).
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