Here and Now (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place primarily in New York City, using the urban landscape of theaters, rehearsal rooms, and intimate apartments to mirror Vivienne's turbulent life. Hospital scenes anchor the narrative around her terminal diagnosis, while the city's relentless pace, cabs, crowds, and late-night venues, frames the tale of love, regret, and resilience.

• new york city
• setting
• locations
• urban backdrop
• new york

The movie is set in contemporary present-day times, relying on smartphones, ride-shares, and media interviews to move the plot. The immediacy of the modern era amplifies the urgency of decisions about family, fame, and mortality as the narrative unfolds across a tight, emotionally charged period surrounding Vivienne's medical diagnosis.

• present day
• time period
• contemporary
• modern era
• setting time

Vivienne's terminal brain tumor casts a shadow over every choice, forcing confrontations with loved ones and a reexamination of priorities. The illness exposes fragility in relationships and a longing for forgiveness, exploring how mortality alters ambition, love, and identity.

• mortality
• terminal illness
• brain tumor
• death
• life priorities

Romantic entanglements with Jordan are intensified by the knowledge of time slipping away, blurring lines between desire and responsibility. The film examines vulnerability, trust, and the tension between career demands and intimate connection. Relationships become a measure of what remains important when life could end soon.

• romance
• love
• relationship
• jordan
• desire
• vulnerability

The mother-daughter bond with Lucie sits at the story's emotional core, highlighting absence, apology, and reconciliation. Interactions with Vivienne's mother Jeanne reveal generational gaps and the cost of missed moments. The narrative uses family ties to ground the drama in humanity beyond fame.

• family
• mother-daughter
• jeanne
• lucie
• reconciliation
• generations

Vivienne is a world-famous singer-songwriter portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker who is confronting a terminal brain tumor. Her illness intensifies her impulsive behavior and longing for connection, while her fame complicates how she treats those closest to her. Throughout the story she seeks forgiveness from her mother and daughter, balancing performances with the urgency to repair broken bonds.

• vivienne
• singer
• songwriter
• sarah jessica parker
• fame
• terminal illness

Ben is Vivienne's manager portrayed by Common, serving as a steady, career-focused presence who must navigate personal boundaries with a star who is increasingly unpredictable. He bridges the gap between the music world and the reality of her illness, offering support while protecting the business side.

• ben
• manager
• common
• music career
• business

Jordan is Vivienne's romantic interest portrayed by Taylor Kinney, with whom she shares a complicated, physical connection. His closeness highlights the tension between desire and the demands of a public life affected by her illness.

• jordan
• taylor kinney
• romantic interest
• relationship
• love interest

Nick is Vivienne's ex-husband and Lucie's father portrayed by Simon Baker. He shows care but also frustration as he confronts Vivienne's absence and the impact of her choices on their family, embodying a grounded, protective influence amidst the chaos.

• nick
• ex-husband
• simon baker
• lucie's father
• family

Lucie is Vivienne's daughter portrayed by Gus Birney, whose closeness with her mother reveals both warmth and pain. Lucie represents the innocent, long-suffering beneficiary of Vivienne's career and illness, desiring presence and guidance from her mother.

• lucie
• daughter
• gus birney
• mother-daughter
• family

Jeanne is Vivienne's mother portrayed by Jacqueline Bisset, whose questions and presence underscore the generational and emotional gaps between generations. She embodies enduring care, sometimes clashing with the star's chaotic lifestyle.

• jeanne
• mother
• jacqueline bisset
• generational gap
• family dynamics

Hospital scenes anchor the narrative around Vivienne's terminal diagnosis, granting weight to personal choices about treatment and life priorities. The medical setting serves as the catalyst for her reevaluation of relationships, career, and what truly matters in her final days.

• hospital
• diagnosis
• medical
• treatment
• doctor
• brain tumor

The city's relentless pace, with cabs, crowds, and late-night venues, mirrors Vivienne's internal turbulence while providing a stark contrast to the intimate, vulnerable moments of illness and reconciliation. The urban environment becomes both a symbol of her demanding career and the anonymity of city life.

• new york city
• urban
• city life
• mood
• atmosphere
• backdrop