A Very Natural Thing (1974) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place primarily in New York City, with key scenes at Fire Island, Coney Island, and Cape Cod. These settings capture the early-1970s gay scene, including bar culture and weekend escapes that shape the characters' romantic lives.

• new york city
• fire island
• coney island
• cape cod
• setting
• locations

The narrative is set in the early 1970s, specifically around 1973 and the Gay Pride parade. This period predates the AIDS crisis and reflects a time of growing LGBTQ+ visibility, social experimentation, and increased openness in gay communities.

• 1970s
• 1973
• time period
• gay pride
• era
• historical context

The film explores three core themes: Love & Identity, examining how desire and authenticity shape a gay relationship; Relationships & Boundaries, focusing on the tension between commitment and sexual openness; and Community & Pride, highlighting how gay spaces and the Pride rally influence personal choices and belonging.

• themes
• love
• identity
• relationships
• boundaries
• community
• pride

David is a former monk turned English teacher who enters the gay world seeking authentic connection and romance. He begins the story hoping for a monogamous relationship with Mark but eventually comes to seek a more lasting partnership with Jason, representing his evolving understanding of love.

• david
• former monk
• character
• protagonist
• motivation

Mark is a businessman who prefers an open arrangement rather than traditional monogamy. He resists deep romantic commitment with David, valuing sexual freedom and casual intimacy over a conventional partnership. His reluctance to say 'I love you' ultimately leads to their separation.

• mark
• businessman
• open relationship
• commitment
• character

Jason is a photographer and divorced father who enters David's life after the relationship with Mark ends. He represents a path toward emotional stability and a more committed partnership. His ongoing connection with his ex-wife and young son adds complexity to his pursuit of a new romantic life.

• jason
• photographer
• divorced
• character
• family

The film examines the conflict between wanting monogamy and wanting sexual freedom. David's desire for a committed, monogamous relationship clashes with Mark's preference for an open arrangement. The story questions whether love requires exclusivity or if commitment can coexist with freedom to connect with others.

• monogamy
• open relationship
• commitment
• relationship conflict

The gay community and spaces like bars, Pride events, and weekend retreats serve as both a backdrop and influence on the characters' relationships. The 1973 Pride rally specifically provides context for connection, belonging, and identity expression, contrasting intimate relationships with broader social life.

• gay community
• pride
• bars
• social life
• community spaces

Alan is David's oldest friend from Schenectady who provides an outsider's perspective on David's relationship with Mark. He offers candid, practical observations that help David gain clarity about what he truly wants in love, serving as a supportive voice during the character's self-discovery.

• alan
• friend
• perspective
• character
• support

Valerie is Mark's fiancée, representing the conventional future that society traditionally expects. Her presence highlights the tension between social norms and the evolving nature of Mark and David's relationship, underscoring the choices each character makes about commitment and identity.

• valerie
• fiancee
• social norms
• character

The film portrays a gay relationship with emotional depth, exploring themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. It shows that gay relationships face the same challenges around commitment and communication as heterosexual ones, while also highlighting the specific context of early 1970s LGBTQ+ life.

• gay relationships
• authenticity
• acceptance
• message
• meaning