"Romancing the Stone" (1984) As a roguish adventurer, Douglas displays action-hero chops, sarcastic humor and youthful romantic appeal. "Fatal Attraction" (1987) Glenn Close got the most attention for her psycho-stalker woman spurned, but Douglas makes her adulterous target an understandably flawed antihero.
"Falling Down" (1993) As an angry everyman at war with society, Douglas utters a line that defines many of his roles. His likable vigilante can't fathom why the cops are after him. "I'm the bad guy? How did that happen?"
"Traffic" (2000) Douglas plays a conservative judge appointed the U.S. drug-war czar, only to learn that his daughter is an addict. A strong dramatic turn, prophetically echoing his son Cameron's drug conviction this April.
"Wonder Boys" (2000) As a hapless novelist and literature professor, Douglas displays his rarely seen warm and fuzzy side. He riffs wonderfully with co-stars Robert Downey Jr., Frances McDormand and Rip Torn.
COLIN COVERT
