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Anything Is Possible (2013) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Anything Is Possible (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 94 mins · English
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Directed by
Demetrius Navarro
Starring
Jonathan Bennett, Fatima Ptacek, Lacey Chabert, Kym Whitley, Erlinda Navarro, David Haines

A young boy named Nathan is separated from his mother, who disappears during a tsunami rescue mission in Japan. While his father desperately searches for her, Nathan discovers a family secret that leads him to run away and encounter a homeless war veteran in Detroit. The film explores themes of family, homelessness, military life, and adoption, featuring original music co-written and scored by Ethan Bortnick alongside Grammy-winning producer Gary Baker.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (10)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle
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10 main characters · contains spoilers

Anything Is Possible Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Anything Is Possible (2013), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • George (Jonathan Bennett)

    George is a protective father figure who navigates Nathan’s disappearance and the truth about paternity. He is cautious yet loyal, striving to provide stability while coming to terms with his relationship to Nathan.

    • 👨‍👦 Family
    • 🧭 Loyalty
  • Jesse (Fatima Ptacek)

    Jesse is Evelyn’s daughter who secretly shelters Nathan in the basement. She shows courage and empathy, acting to protect Nathan even at personal risk, hinting at the deeper bonds within Evelyn’s circle.

    • 🏡 Shelter
    • ❤️ Compassion
  • Maggie (Lacey Chabert)

    Maggie appears as a supportive figure within the community, contributing to the sense of care around Nathan. The summary does not specify her exact actions, but she embodies warmth and steadiness in the network around him.

    • 🤝 Community
    • 🧡 Support
  • Ms. Kim (Kym Whitley)

    Ms. Kim is a figure within the child welfare framework, representing the systems that handle Nathan’s custody. Her interactions reflect the formal processes surrounding family crises.

    • ⚖️ Authority
    • 🧭 Procedures
  • Lysandra (Erlinda Navarro)

    Lysandra contributes to the network around Nathan, reinforcing themes of protection and communal support. Her involvement adds to the sense of a broader protective community.

    • 🧩 Community
    • 🛡️ Protection
  • Captain Miles (David Haines)

    Captain Miles is a homeless Iraq War veteran who initially appears to guide Nathan but uses manipulation to secure shelter. His arc introduces trust and survival questions faced on the streets.

    • 🪖 Veteran
    • 🃏 Trickery
  • Nathan (Ethan Bortnick)

    Nathan is a musical prodigy carrying the weight of separation from his mother and the risk of going into foster care. He demonstrates resilience and talent that become catalysts for change.

    • 🎼 Prodigy
    • 🧡 Resilience
  • Evelyn (Elizabeth Atkins)

    Evelyn is a philanthropic figure who shelters Nathan and becomes a key ally in his journey. She embodies generosity and a willingness to fight for children in need.

    • 💖 Philanthropy
    • 🧭 Guidance
  • Ms. Jones (Shelby Moffett)

    Ms. Jones is a caretaker at the orphanage, representing the institutional side of Nathan’s world. Her role highlights care within limited resources and the challenges of institutional settings.

    • 🏫 Orphanage
    • 🧭 Caregiver
  • Mr. Cruz (Carlo Lorenzo Garcia)

    Mr. Cruz is a community figure whose interactions help shape the broader social environment around Nathan. His presence contributes to the fabric of support and challenge within the city.

    • 👥 Community
    • 🗺️ Support

Last updated: March 05, 2026 at 18:31

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Setting

Where and When Does Anything Is Possible Take Place?

The setting of Anything Is Possible (2013): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Present day

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern urban life and child welfare dynamics. It juxtaposes Nathan’s experiences with those of veterans and the realities of foster care. The timeframe emphasizes current issues such as homelessness, custody battles, and community intervention.

Location

Detroit, Japan

The story unfolds primarily in Detroit, where Nathan navigates city streets and the threat of losing custody. Intermittent scenes tie to a rescue mission in Japan that anchors the mystery of his missing mother, linking two distinct locales. The Detroit setting centers on urban life, shelters, and the community that forms around Nathan's crisis.

  • 🌆 Urban Detroit
  • 🗺️ Japan

Last updated: March 05, 2026 at 18:31

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3 major themes

Anything Is Possible Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Anything Is Possible (2013) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Family

    Nathan’s search for belonging drives the narrative as he seeks a stable family amid turmoil. The story explores what constitutes family beyond biology, highlighting bonds formed with Evelyn, George, and supportive community members. Reunions and revelations gradually restore his sense of safety and place.

  • Music

    Nathan’s musical prodigy is a central thread that ties plot lines together. His talent turns a fundraising effort for the orphanage into hopeful momentum, culminating in a concert that sustains the home. Music serves as both refuge and bridge, transforming crisis into opportunity.

  • Community

    A network of neighbors, philanthropists, and officials rallies around Nathan, showing how collective care can shape outcomes. Acts of shelter, advocacy, and generosity drive the story forward. The community’s support underpins the film’s resolution and Nathan’s future.

Last updated: March 05, 2026 at 18:31

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Character & theme questions

Anything Is Possible Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Anything Is Possible (2013): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Anything Is Possible set?

The movie takes place primarily in Detroit, with additional scenes set in Japan. Detroit serves as the main setting where Nathan navigates urban life, shelters, and the threat of losing custody. Japan anchors the mystery of his missing mother and the tsunami rescue mission that separates them.

  • detroit
  • japan
  • setting
  • locations
  • tsunami
Q2

What role does Detroit play in the story?

Detroit serves as the urban backdrop where Nathan experiences homelessness, finds community support, and faces custody challenges. The city setting emphasizes themes of urban life, shelter systems, and the network of neighbors and philanthropists who rally around Nathan during his crisis.

  • detroit
  • urban setting
  • city
  • homeless
  • community
Q3

How does Japan connect to the story?

Japan is the location where Nathan's mother disappears during a tsunami rescue mission. This event sets the entire story in motion, creating the central mystery and emotional catalyst that drives Nathan's journey in Detroit.

  • japan
  • tsunami
  • mother
  • missing
  • rescue mission
Q4

When is the movie set?

Anything Is Possible is set in contemporary, present-day times. The timeframe reflects modern urban life and addresses current social issues such as homelessness, custody battles, foster care, and community intervention.

  • present day
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • modern
Q5

What are the main themes of Anything Is Possible?

The film explores three core themes: Family, Music, and Community. Family drives the narrative as Nathan searches for belonging beyond biology. Music serves as a central thread that turns crisis into opportunity through Nathan's prodigy. Community shows how collective care from neighbors, philanthropists, and officials shapes the story's outcome.

  • themes
  • family
  • music
  • community
  • belonging
Q6

How does music function in the movie?

Music is a central thread that ties plot lines together. Nathan's musical talent transforms a fundraising effort for the orphanage into hopeful momentum, culminating in a concert that sustains the home. Music serves as both refuge and bridge, turning personal crisis into opportunity.

  • music
  • musical prodigy
  • concert
  • talent
  • orphanage
Q7

What does the movie say about family?

The film explores what constitutes family beyond biological ties, highlighting bonds formed with Evelyn, George, and supportive community members. Nathan's search for belonging and stability drives the narrative, with reunions and revelations gradually restoring his sense of safety and place.

  • family
  • belonging
  • adoption
  • biological ties
  • bonds
Q8

Who is Nathan and what is his situation?

Nathan is a young musical prodigy separated from his mother during a tsunami rescue mission in Japan. He carries the weight of this separation and faces the risk of going into foster care. His journey in Detroit demonstrates resilience and talent that become catalysts for change in his community.

  • nathan
  • musical prodigy
  • foster care
  • separated mother
Q9

Who is George and what is his role?

George, played by Jonathan Bennett, is a protective father figure who navigates Nathan's disappearance and discovers truths about paternity. He is cautious yet loyal, striving to provide stability while coming to terms with his relationship to Nathan.

  • george
  • jonathan bennett
  • father figure
  • paternity
Q10

Who is Evelyn and how does she help Nathan?

Evelyn is a philanthropic figure who shelters Nathan and becomes a key ally in his journey. She embodies generosity and a willingness to fight for children in need, representing the protective community that forms around Nathan.

  • evelyn
  • shelter
  • philanthropist
  • ally
  • support
Q11

Who is Captain Miles and what role does he play?

Captain Miles is a homeless Iraq War veteran who initially appears to guide Nathan but uses manipulation to secure shelter. His character introduces themes of trust and survival questions faced on the streets, adding complexity to Nathan's journey.

  • captain miles
  • homeless veteran
  • iraq war
  • manipulation
  • trust
Q12

How does the community help Nathan?

A network of neighbors, philanthropists, and officials rallies around Nathan, showing how collective care shapes outcomes. Acts of shelter, advocacy, and generosity drive the story forward. Characters like Evelyn, Ms. Kim from child welfare, and various community members contribute to this support network.

  • community
  • support
  • neighbors
  • philanthropists
  • child welfare

Movie threads

More Movies Like Anything Is Possible, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Anything Is Possible tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about childhood journeys like Anything Is Possible

Young protagonists finding resilience and new connections while navigating family separation. If you liked the story of Nathan's journey in Anything Is Possible, you'll appreciate these films featuring young protagonists navigating family separation and finding hope. These movies share themes of resilience, unexpected helpers, and the emotional quest for stability and reunion.

  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • anxious
  • uplifting
  • child's perspective
  • family drama
  • Tone: hopeful, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a disruptive event that separates the child from their primary caregiver. The child then navigates a series of challenges, often encountering a key adult mentor or a supportive community. The narrative arc follows the child's emotional growth and culminates in a hopeful resolution, often involving a reunion or the formation of a new, stable family unit.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a central focus on a child's perspective during a crisis, balancing serious emotional themes with an ultimately hopeful tone. They feature steady pacing that allows for character development and emphasize the importance of community and perseverance.

Movies where music brings hope like Anything Is Possible

Dramas where music provides solace, expression, and a path to healing during personal struggles. Discover movies similar to Anything Is Possible where original music helps characters cope with hardship. These stories blend drama and music to explore themes of healing, community, and the power of artistic expression to overcome emotional challenges.

  • uplifting
  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • musical
  • emotional
  • inspiring
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a character or community processing grief, trauma, or a difficult situation. Music becomes an integral part of their journey, whether through a character's prodigious talent, a community concert, or simply as a background of emotional support. The climax often involves a musical performance that symbolizes overcoming adversity.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a unique blend of dramatic weight and musical inspiration. The tone is consistently hopeful, using music to balance heavier themes and create an uplifting, emotionally satisfying experience for the viewer.

Every angle

Anything Is Possible (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Anything Is Possible in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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