Scott at 2015-08-20 02:23:39:

Good stab at it, Doc. As you know, I don't believe there's a right or wrong when ascribing archetypes to characters. They are not rules, they are tools. And each audience member or script reader will experience a story differently. Here's my own attempt to sort out the characters per archetypes: Ethan Hunt – Protagonist William Brandt – Mentor. He not only has inside information, at least until he joins in with Hunt on their rogue mission and is cut off from his access to intel, he also provides a contrary line of reasoning which pushes Hunt to get real clear on why he's doing what he's doing. And in the end, he dons a trickster mask, when appearing to go the Hunley's side, in order to pull off the Attlee mask con with the British Prime Minister. Benji Dunn – Attractor. Benji insists he will not go back to the U.S., despite Hunt's insistence he do that, for a number of reasons, but bottom line because he says he is Ethan's friend. This goes the other way when Ethan concocts a plan to save Benji when he is kidnapped, stating flat out they have to do this because Benji is their friend. Of all the relationships Hunt has in the movie, the bromance between he and Benji is the most emotionally grounded one. Ilsa Faust – Trickster. Of course it is tempting to look at her as an Attractor. And Hunt is most definitely attracted to her... and she to him. But come on, she switches allegiances - or at least appears to - a half-dozen times or more. Moreover does she end up with Hunt in the denouement? No, she heads off on her own. Now because she is such a terrific character, I would not doubt that she returns in another sequel and the filmmakers up the romance angle between the two in which case we could be looking at a Protagonist-Attractor dynamic. But the bottom line function of Ilsa's character in this movie strikes me as being a Trickster. Luther Stickell – Mentor. He uses his high tech knowledge to facilitate the IMF's efforts. He also stands up for Hunt, playing his own friendship card along the way. Solomon Lane – Arch Nemesis. Nothing more to say. Atlee – Trickster. Seems pretty apparent. Janik Vinter – Nemesis. Part of the Nemesis team. Alan Hunley – Nemesis. If the primary function of a Nemesis figure is to provide opposition, that fits Hunley to a tee. I think it's important to note that these type of movies are examples of stories in which the Protagonist does not necessarily go through any sort of substantive transformation. Does Hunt change in this story? During the course of FADE IN to FADE OUT, I'd say no. Perhaps in comparison to previous installments, but I barely remember anything about II and III, so I not qualified to say. But character metamorphosis is not a requirement for these type of movies. And honestly, the characters who go through the biggest change in the movie are Hunley, shifting from enemy to ally, and Faust, who went to the mat for British intelligence, then was cut loose, so now adrift in the world as a free agent. So there's some thoughts on characters in MIRN. Would love to hear folks weigh in with more reactions. Tnanks, Doc, for taking a whack at the character archetypes.

dockane at 2015-08-21 19:24:32:

Cool. This is great feedback, Scott. Thanks for the clarification on Luther and Benji ... I really had no idea where to place them in the character universe. I was just thinking of them as buddies. It's helpful to see them as having a role, though, because I can see clearly how their role informs their character traits and vice-versa. Ilsa. Sure, a trickster. Missed that one. I was thinking too much about Hunt just being "attracted" to her, and was thinking that for her to be a trickster she'd need to be tricking Hunt, which I didn't totally feel. I always thought Hunt knew which side she was on. So, to be clear, the trickster can be tricking anyone, right? Or, did you feel she was also tricking Hunt? Thanks tons for the help!