Heroic Dimples: Difference between revisions

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For centuries, many cultures have portrayed cheek dimples as a reflection of the ultimate heroism in a person. This is no different in fiction. In the same way high cheekbones clue the audience that a character is [[Villainous Cheekbones|sinister or not to be trusted]], cheek dimples tell them there is goodness in this character. No matter the length, width, shape, position or depth, dimples can show the character's innocence (especially [[Children Are Innocent|if they're young]]), their positive morals, or [[Anti-Hero]] roguishness.
 
In-universe, other characters may point theout dimples'''Heroic outDimples''' or compliment them, due to the [[Rule of Cute]]. The dimpled character in question might point them out themselves or feel like they're [[Blessed with Suck]], especially if they're the only recurring character with them. They might notice how manipulative their face dents are and use them to trick others with feign innocence.
 
Interestingly, as sacred and revered cheek dimples are, they are not an extremely rare trait [[Reality Is Unrealistic|in real life]]. In animation or illustrations, facial lines are used sparingly in dangerto ofavoid making a character look more wrinkled than warranted or an easier way to show a character's age; distinct dimples in a character's cheeks indicate a purposeful design. In real life, it's debatedbelieved that about 20% of the human population has them (compared to an estimated 2-6% of people with red hair, for example), and studies suggest some people born without can develop them as they age. Since cheek dimples are placed under conventional attractiveness, thanks to tropes like [[Hollywood Homely]], expect many live-action characters of any morality to fit the bill, so make sure the character with dimples applies to points mentioned above before adding your example.
 
Might also be paired with a [[Lantern Jaw of Justice]]. Sometimes part of "[[The Reveal]]" if [[When She Smiles]] occurs. A possible symptom of [[Adaptational Attractiveness]].
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== [[Comic Books]] ==
* [[Shazam]] is almost never seen without his cheek dimples, as well as his alter ego Billy Batson. Other superhero characters vary on whether the comic artist had time/remembered to draw the dimples in, but Shazam's are common enough to be a trademark of his.
* Desperate Dan in ''[[The Dandy (comics)|The Dandy]]'' is a giant, intimidating-looking cowboy, but his cheek dimples highlight his good faith—especiallyfaith — especially because he's [[The Klutz|extremely clumsy]].
* ''[[Blackhawk]]'' takes this [[Up to Eleven]]; almost all the members of the eponymous team have dimples.
* Not ''cheek'' dimples, no, but [[Superman]], the archetypal superhero, has almost always been depicted with a dimple in his chin since the 1940s.
 
== [[Film]] ==
* 1978's ''[[Superman (film)|Superman]]'' ironically lampshades the dimples the eponymous character had in the comics (albeit [[Depending on the Artist]]). When [[Lex Luthor]]'s assistant/henchwoman Miss Teschmacher describes their enemy by pointing them out and calling him cute, it seems to convince Lex Luthor to begin Superman's torture.
* Mr. Incredible from ''[[The Incredibles]]'' is the only superhero main character with dimples in both cheeks, possibly a nod to classic comic book characters and how long it's been since he and others went into hiding.
* Irene Dunne spent her entire movie career playing good characters, with dimples to match.
* Fittingly, both [[The Mark of Zorro (1920 film)|the 1920]] and 1940 versions of ''The Mark of Zorro'' respectively starred dimpled actors Douglas Fairbanks and Tyrone Power as the eponymous hero.
* ''Five Easy Pieces'' features Betty recalling a conversation about dimples with her mother. When she was four, she asked her mother why she had a "hole" in her chin. Her mother explained that when everyone is born, they are put on a conveyor belt in front of God. Then, God pokes a finger in the chin of people He's uninterested in, creating a cleft chin, and pinches the cheeks of people He finds cute, giving them dimpled cheeks.
* The human man Ariel falls in love with in Disney's ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', Prince Eric, is a tall, dark and handsomely dimpled [[Nice Guy|nice guy]].
* John McClane, the star of the [[Die Hard|''Die Hard'']] franchise.
* As the God of Mischief, Loki's dimples in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] imply his roguish dubiousness and frequent double-crossing of many around him.
* [[The Nth Doctor]]-like franchise run of the ''[[James Bond (film)|James Bond]]'' films led to some actors (notably [[Sean Connery]])'s natural genetics adding to Bond's heroism, attractiveness and his mischievous sexual exploits on the job.
* In ''The Little Colonel'', Colonel Gray quips to Lloyd that her dimples made her cute enough to capture an entire regiment as successfully as any weapon or army.
* Criminal-in-hiding Babe Stewart in ''No Man of Her Own'' unintentionally convinces Connie of his charms because of his dents, shown when Connie gushes to her co-worker about how this already-attractive man has "lovely dimples" [[When She Smiles|when he smiles]].
* The eponymous main character of ''[[Coco]]'' mentions to his family that he finds it weird how he has a dimple in one cheek andbut not both cheeks.
* To distract her parents from asking invasive questions about her romantic life at the family Christmas gathering, Trudy in ''Holiday in Handcuffs'' plans to pair up with a dimpled handsome man as soon as she can (according to her, a man with dimples would be a more convincing boyfriend than a man without). Luckily for her, minutes later, she bumps into a tall, dark and handsome man with dimpled cheeks in a store, so she kidnaps him at gunpoint.
 
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* The ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' episode "Iced" uses the [[Rule of Cute]] factor when agent Warrick mentions he got much attention from girls in high school. Catherine says it makes no sense because he always claimed he was "a dork" back then, but Warrick replies his dimples helped him a lot, even if he didn't get as much attention as his "cooler" peers.
* ''[[CSI: Miami]]''{{'}}s Detective Jesse Cardoza's dimples are lampshaded by a witness he and colleague Calleigh interview in "Dude, Where's My Groom?", much to Jesse's embarrassment and Calleigh's amusement. When the interview finishes, the witness suggests interviewing her boss next before leaning in flirtatiously, calling him Dimples and walking away with a smirk. [[No Guy Wants to Be Chased|Flustered]], Jesse decides to interview other witnesses, but not before [[The Gadfly|a tickled Calleigh]] asks Dimples what he wants to do next.
* Demon hunting hero Sam Winchester in ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]''.
* The heroic detective Thomas Magnum in ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'', which also helps enhance his [[Mr. Fanservice]] appeal in and out-of-universe.
* Private detectives Maddie and David in ''[[Moonlighting]]''.
* Cat Valentine in ''[[Victorious]]'', who is naïve and [[The Ditz]] of the cast.
* The eponymous ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''{{'}}s early-seasons ally, police detective Maggie Sawyer. She even earned the [[Fan Nickname]] "Detective Dimples".
* Sherlock and Watson from The BBC's ''[[Sherlock]]''.
 
== [[Music]] ==