Film characters (part 2)

The Supporting Cast:

Now the supporting cast aren’t just blank slates for the main character to impress upon. Each will have their own emotional and mental baggage. Because it is their jobs to not only support the main character on their quest to complete the story, it is also their job to guard the realism of the story as they fill out the rest of the world inside the film. With these characters the director gives dimension to the world, and to the other critical characters (such as the villains). The struggles of the supporting cast can cast a new view on the main character as we see a new ruthless/compassionate or precise and efficient side to them through how they deal with the struggles of their supporting cast.

Looking again at the film No Country for Old Men we get a deeper understanding of the character Llewelyn Moss after seeing his forceful and insistent ways of dealing with his wife Carla Jean Moss. Through this interaction we get the understanding that Llewelyn has a very dominant personality and takes very little nonsense. And yet through his actions we can also garner that he cares deeply for his wife. These two large points in Llewelyn’s character we have only been allowed to see through his interaction with a side character. And these points, being so key to his personality, allows the viewer predict how the character will act when faced with new challenges. This hooks the audience and helps to keep them engaged in the film.

In summary the supporting characters play a key role in helping us as the audience to understand the world we have been brought into and, through the actions of these characters, we gain a deeper understanding of the motives and drive of the main character. These characters don’t only define the main character through their actions, but any other major character that they encounter such as the villain. Again, in the film No Country for Old Men (apologies for the amount of times I’m going to use this film, but it really has some awe-inspiring scenes!) The villain, Anton, meets a storekeeper, and to determine his fate, he prompts a coin toss. Through this interaction, we start to understand a little more about the methodical way in which our villain depends on. Again, with Carla, we see a new take on our villain when this character refuses to play by his rules. And we see how this shakes him.