Tools of Characterization
Characterization in The Goonies
Names
A Rose by Any Other Nickname
"Data." "Mouth." "Chunk." You're probably not going to find any of those names on our heroes' birth certificates.
And sure enough, their real names are Richard, Clark, and Lawrence respectively. The other Goonies have less "out there" nicknames, but they still find a way to mix it up a bit: Michael is "Mikey," Brandon is "Brand," Andrea is "Andy" and Stephanie is "Stef." Plus, the only honorary Goonie, Lotney Fratelli, goes by "Sloth."
In fact, we shudder to think what would happen if someone called him "Lotney" to his face. Because, you know… "Sloth" is so much more flattering.
Some of the nicknames—such as the first three we mentioned—are designed to give us some insight into the characters' personalities or habits. Data's the inventor: he's obviously fascinated by science, and math, i.e. "data." Mouth loves to talk. And Chunk is…chunky.
And while the other nicknames may just be cutesy versions of the original, they do make their owners seem more interesting. Who wants to hang out with a "Michael" when you can hang out with a "Mikey"? The second guy is going to be way more fun.
This technique for making us feel more connected to the movie's heroes is contrasted against everyone else, who get only one name. (Suckers.) Troy is just Troy (maybe because "Troy" is hard to shorten). This makes him feel stuffier, less human.
The only baddie who does sort of get a nickname is Agatha Fratelli, who is only referred to in the film as "Mama." But it's not as though that's an uncommon nickname: there are tons of Mamas out there, but there's really only one Chunk.
Appearances
A Face Only a Mama Could Love
For the most part, physical appearance doesn't play a big part in this story. Goonies come in all shapes, sizes, ages and genders. But when it comes to the Sloth/Chunk storyline, the looks make the men.
Both have had issues with their appearance, for one reason or another, and it's part of what bonds them together so instantly, and so intensely. Chunk, thanks to his love of sweets, has to put up with jokes from his peers—even his supposed "friends"—and his physical awkwardness contributes to his clumsiness as well. He's more or less uncomfortable in his own body.
Speaking of uncomfortable bodies…here comes Sloth into Chunk's life. Sloth was dropped on his head and is physically deformed (either by birth or thanks to the dropping, we're not sure). His eyes are lopsided, he's got a tiny sprig of hair on top of his oddly shaped head, and his teeth aren't the greatest.
All that aside, those biceps of his are impressive. He probably doesn't get too much of an opportunity to hit the gym, so we're guessing that's all from…pulling on those chains for years?
So when these two come together, it's only natural that they see something in the other that they recognize in themselves. Both are scoffed at by the rest of the world, but together they make a formidable team. With Sloth's strength and Chunk's…ability to confess at length, they're ready to take the world by storm.
Society and Class
My Country Club 'Tis of Thee
A common theme running through Hollywood films is that of the haves versus the have-nots. The rich versus the not-so-rich. The well-to-do versus the poorly-to-don't.
While the Walshes certainly aren't poor—check out that amazing house—it's obvious that they've fallen on hard times, are deep in debt, and will soon be moving somewhere much less impressive. (Barring the sudden discovery of pirate treasure, of course.)
On the flip side, you've got Mr. Perkins. He's Troy's father (strike one). He's the guy who wants to make Mr. Walsh sign the foreclosure papers (strike two) so that he and his trench coat (strike three) can demo the house and replace it with a fairway. Perkins is obviously already loaded and would be just fine financially without this golf course deal. But he's greedy and couldn't give two hoots about anyone else. He's your run-of-the-mill wealthy, snobby villain.
Now in real life, many wealthy people are super-nice, give plenty to charity, and don't necessarily try to steamroll every lower-to-middle class individual who gets in their way. But in the movies they're nearly all guaranteed to be among the scum of the Earth. Mr. Perkins is definitely of the "scum" variety.