In another post, I mentioned how there was a lot of dichotomy between Natalie and Ryan, from their male/female, novice/veteran, approaches, etc., there's a lot of contrasts which defines them. I think, to some extent, the other minor characters represent extensions of the main characters. Julie could very well be Natalie in the years to come, settling down and getting married. Thematically that gives Ryan two different examples of dealing with the same theme outside of his own perspective. Jim sort of serves as the instigator to Ryan's change - the spark, so to speak, because Ryan is forced to finally consider the situation from another point of view that is closer to his own (that being a middle-aged male). Alex is an interesting case in terms of function in the overall story. Ryan's definitely attracted to her and they have a lot in common - but to me, she's almost a negative reflection of Ryan himself. They're definitely not on the same page when "the scene" comes, but it's as if Ryan is once again forced to confront another possible perspective other than his own and it's a tough realization to swallow. Her words "this is our escape" causes a shift in his perspective which had already been gradually changing: if he loved his economical lifestyle on the road so much, why was he escaping it? Was that even what he saw it as? Perhaps at first, before realizing how empty his bag truly was. Alex then became the means for which he tried to fill that particular void in his life and it didn't work - she's got her own baggage, so to speak, that she prefers to leave at home altogether and in that sense, she appears to actually be practicing what he's been preaching.

I don't think Alex is a negative reflection of Ryan. She is exactly what Ryan is at the start. You're right, BBB, when you say she practices what he preaches. The difference is Ryan moves away from that "baggage free" lifestyle and wants to be grounded. He just misinterprets her interest as a desire to be grounded too. That's because through his interactions with Natalie and his family, he's grown a connection to Alex. During the wedding, he thinks she has too but obviously finds out the hard truth later. She really hasn't and she is exactly what she said she was at the start -- Ryan with a vagina -- albeit with a "real life" that she's hiding (her baggage, as you say).

By negative reflection I meant he's seeing himself in the mirror at that point and doesn't like what he sees, at least in terms of traits and his past. Whether or not he's been blinded by them all this time, it's the first time he's truly been "blindsided". Had he not already started the process of changing, it'd merely be a reflection - still the same as it had been. But it's as if he's suddenly recognized who he was by having someone else one-up him in his own (prior) philosophy of life and there's something tragic about that.

Ooops, I also meant to say that I'm looking at her in terms of her overall function in the story, but yes, I agree - the vast majority of it she is more or less much like him, a direct reflection if you will... without the penis. :)

TBBB, this is some great stuff as with character after character, your analysis not only reveals key aspects of each, it also shows the value of this screenwriting principle: Character = Function. I'm scrambling for time right now, but later tonight or some day this week or weekend, I want to revisit your comments and delve into them more deeply because you hit on the larger point of the above mentioned principle and that is this: In most movie, each of the major characters is a projection of a key aspect of the Protagonist's psyche. This is how great story's have a sense of wholeness to them, no stray or diffuse character, rather each one playing their part in the Protagonist's physical and psychological journey. Good stuff, TBBB! More later.

Looking forward to it. I know this part: "In most movie, each of the major characters is a projection of a key aspect of the Protagonist’s psyche. This is how great story’s have a sense of wholeness to them, no stray or diffuse character, rather each one playing their part in the Protagonist’s physical and psychological journey." reminds me greatly of The Wizard of Oz.

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