Robert Downey Jr.'s quirkiest characters

David Seton Barnes in "Soapdish" (1991)

Art imitates life in “Soapdish”—a movie about venal characters turning on one another. As the shrewd, unsophisticated producer of a popular daytime soap opera, Downey plays the man without a conscience who nevertheless wields all the power. When a conniving cast member (Cathy Moriarty, oozing) promises sexual favors in exchange for increased screen time, David spinelessly follows through, blaming every stumble on others in his bid to have his cake and sleep with it too. Downey elevates smarminess to an art form, showing us the relentless, remorseless ego of men in positions of power.