1987 (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set primarily in Quebec, Canada, with key scenes taking place in homes, bars, and restaurants across the province. A notable trip occurs in Trois-Rivières, allowing the story to capture both small-town Quebec life and the urban nightlife atmosphere of the region.

• quebec
• trois-rivieres
• setting
• canada
• locations

The story unfolds in 1987, a pre-digital era where teenagers navigate romance and rebellion through direct, in-person interactions. This setting means no smartphones or social media, with parties, barroom escapades, and prom-night plans defining the social scene.

• 1987
• 1980s
• time period
• era
• retro

The coming-of-age theme follows Ricardo's messy journey toward independence, driven by romance, peer pressure, and a desire to belong. His misadventures illuminate the fragile line between innocence and risk, with growth emerging from repeated mistakes and their fallout.

• coming of age
• teenager
• independence
• growth
• adolescence

Thrill-seeking leads Ricardo to theft, illegal activity, and ultimately arrest, illustrating how impulsive acts ripple through family life and future plans. The pursuit of excitement clashes with responsibility, revealing how fragile adult-style plans are for a teenager. Consequences accumulate and reshape relationships and self-perception.

• rebellion
• consequences
• theft
• crime
• teenage rebellion

Romantic entanglements, jealousy, and revelations strain relationships and test loyalties. The interplay between Marie-Josée, Sara, and Ricardo exposes how trust can fray under pressure, with betrayal accelerating emotional volatility and shifting the course of friendships.

• love
• betrayal
• relationships
• jealousy
• romance

Ricardo Trogi is a 17-year-old protagonist whose crushes and bravado drive his reckless choices. He chases romance while juggling a girlfriend, attends parties, drinks, and participates in acts that land him in trouble. His impulsive nature is tempered by loyalty to friends even as his plans unravel.

• ricardo trogi
• protagonist
• teenager
• main character

Marie-Josée is Ricardo's girlfriend in the film, portrayed by Éléonore Lamothe. She becomes the object of his affection and jealousy, and her affair with a man at the bar destabilizes their relationship, foreshadowing their eventual breakup after years together.

• marie-josée
• girlfriend
• ricardo's girlfriend
• love interest

Sara Delorme is a love interest in the film, portrayed by Alyssa Labelle. She becomes central when Ricardo pursues a date with Marie-Josée, only to be confronted with Sara's declaration of homosexuality, which intersects with Ricardo's plans and contributes to his misadventures.

• sara delorme
• love interest
• character

Dallaire, played by Pier-Luc Funk, is one of Ricardo's friends involved in the thefts and the tense moments around stolen radios. His actions spark suspicions and influence the night's course, contributing to Ricardo's reputation and the unfolding drama.

• dallaire
• friend
• supporting character
• theft

The film has a bittersweet tone; while Ricardo's actions lead to negative outcomes including arrest and ruined friendships, his journey also contains typical teenage milestones like prom and first love. The emotional weight is medium, the stakes feel high to a teenager but are not life-shattering, ending on a reflective but not tragic note.

• tone
• bittersweet
• emotional weight
• mood
• teenage drama

The local atmosphere captures the contrasts between small towns and urban nightlife in a Quebecois context. The late-1980s milieu shapes teen antics, family tensions, and legal trouble, with the setting playing a key role in the story's conflicts and tone.

• small town
• quebec
• quebecois
• nightlife
• atmosphere