A Man in Love

An English-born actress living in France, Jane considers giving up her acting career to become a writer. She discovers a powerful attraction to Steve and embarks on a passionate affair, complicating her relationships with Bruno and her own ambitions. She is torn between romantic longing and personal growth, eventually turning toward writing as her path forward.

A charming American actor, Steve is passionate about the writer his character embodies, though his real work is not widely known in the United States. Married to Susan and living between the film set and his villa near Rome, he begins a torrid affair with Jane. He wants to maintain his family but ultimately cannot leave them, choosing to return to America.

Steve's wife and mother of his children, Susan remains at home in New York while the affair unfolds. She is surprised by Steve's distance when he becomes involved with Jane, but she is largely unaware of the relationship for much of the drama. Her domestic life anchors the emotional stakes and highlights the cost of infidelity.

Jane's French lover Bruno is possessive and jealous, tracking her to Rome and confronting the reality of the affair. His anger leads him to leak the relationship to the press, escalating the scandal. He represents the risk and volatility of passion when personal ties and pride collide.

Steve's loyal friend who helps keep Jane safe when exposure seems imminent. He uses discretion to move Jane out of the villa when Susan arrives, demonstrating practical cunning behind a friendly face. His actions reveal the social networks that enable private desires to persist.

Jane's mother, a French-speaking woman facing terminal cancer. Her illness creates urgency for Jane to return to France and be with her, highlighting the family obligation that complicates the romance.

Jane's English-born father, a journalist whose work and travels frame the family's international life. He accompanies Jane to Rome for a career opportunity and supports her growth as a writer.