4) Lance Armstrong – The Program
Lance Armstrong doesn’t realize he’s the bad guy of The Program. Stephen Frears’ bio gives us Armstrong at his most ruthless and obnoxious, publicly repeatedly lying to his legions of fans while secretly threatening fellow cyclists who seek to reveal his illegal doping practices. Armstrong, though, evidently doesn’t see his behavior as ‘bad,’ just necessary to ensure he retains the sporting crown he considers his.
[zergpaid]A charming, smarmy Ben Foster nails this interpretation of Armstrong by Frears and screenwriter John Hodge. The rest of their film is never much cop, but their villain is perfect: a forever distant figure and possible pathological liar whose self-belief is so strong he never understands he’s done anything wrong. Together, Frears, Hodge and Foster turn one of sport’s fallen idols into an everyday sociopath.