Charlie Adams entered the world just four years before I did, almost to the day, which meant that during my formative years, he was aging alongside me—always a step ahead, yet still crush-worthy. Unlike many girls my age, I wasn’t drawn to the typical heartthrobs; Charlie was different. He had a unique blend of charm and awkwardness, often stumbling over his words, making him feel more relatable and grounded than other stars of his era.
Here’s a glimpse into how Charlie and I have grown up together, albeit in parallel worlds:
War Games
I can confidently say this was the first film I ever saw Charlie in, and I was smitten. It was 1983: he was 21, I was 17, and while he portrayed a younger character, I was the quintessential geeky teen. I was always drawn to smart boys, and his character, David Lightman, was a super genius who accidentally hacked into a U.S. military supercomputer, nearly igniting a nuclear disaster. Plus, he had a fantastic love interest in Ally Sheedy—someone I could truly admire. “Choose chess, David!” Oh wait … then we wouldn’t have had the rest of the movie.
Ladyhawke
While I should have been captivated by the romance between Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer, my heart was set on Charlie as Philippe “The Mouse” Gaston. He played a charming thief who aids two cursed lovers in reuniting, and I adored him for it. He may not have been the leading man in the traditional sense, but in my eyes, he undoubtedly was.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
This was the next movie chronologically, but here’s a little secret: I missed it when it first came out. By the time I was 20, high school films were no longer on my radar. Years later, I finally caught up, and it felt like a bizarre time warp. I had matured, yet Charlie seemed frozen in time! Naturally, I fell for his charisma all over again. Even with a towel on his head, he radiated charm.
Torch Song Trilogy
Fast forward to 1988 when Charlie was 26 and I was 22. He played Harvey Fierstein’s boyfriend, and once again, he stole my affection. The film was a rollercoaster of laughter and tears, and as a dramatic writing student at NYU, I appreciated every heartfelt moment. Watching Charlie step out of his comfort zone and nail the role was a highlight for me.
The Freshman
Talk about perfect timing! I was in my final year of college, and the film was set at NYU, my own campus. Charlie played Clark, a freshman who thinks he’s getting involved with a mafia figure, played by Marlon Brando. The film cleverly referenced Brando’s iconic role in The Godfather, making it an enjoyable watch.
After a series of other films and even some stage performances, the next significant moment for me came with …
Election
In 1999, Charlie was 37, and I was 33. At last, he was playing a teacher rather than a student! While his character wasn’t the nicest, I found myself crushing on him again, even though he was no match for Reese Witherspoon’s fierce character. Honestly, who could compete with her?
Now let’s skip ahead a bit—past that unfortunate Stepford Wives remake and The Producers—and dive into animation.
The Tale of Despereaux
Fast forward to 2008: I was 42, he was 46, and my crush had faded, as we were both happily married—Charlie to Sarah Parker, and I to my amazing husband, John. As a mother of two, I found myself watching The Tale of Despereaux with my kids, and there was that familiar voice! Charlie played a tiny mouse with the heart of a lion, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with the character all over again. Yes, I had a newfound affection for a cartoon mouse.
So thank you, Charlie, for all the wonderful memories. I’ll be here, cheering you on, as we both grey gracefully, ready to fall in love again.
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In summary, my journey with Charlie Adams has been filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a sprinkle of crush-worthy moments. From the awkward teen years to adulthood, his roles have resonated with me, making every film a delightful experience.