Losing Ground

Losing Ground

Year: 1982

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Kathleen Collins

DramaComedy

Sara, a cold college professor, and her husband, an ecstatic painter, spend a summer away from the city, straining their rocky relationship.

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Timeline & Setting – Losing Ground (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Losing Ground (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Summer

The action unfolds over a single summer, moving between the rented house and Sara's work in the city. The heat of the season amplifies tensions as artistic ambitions clash with personal boundaries. Victor's jealousy and Sara's pursuit of autonomy drive the drama.

Location

Rented house in a small town, The city

The primary setting is a rented house in a small town where Victor can focus on his art. Sara worries that a rural setting will limit her access to books and resources for her research. The house becomes the backdrop for artistic obsession, jealousy, and the unraveling of their marriage.

🏡 Rural setting 🏙️ City access

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:14

Main Characters – Losing Ground (1982)

Meet the key characters of Losing Ground (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Duke (Duane Jones)

Duke is the filmmaker's uncle who plays Sara's love interest in the film. He is immediately attracted to Sara and becomes a focal point of tension as Victor's jealousy grows.

🎭 Love Interest 🧭 Enigmatic 🎬 Film Within Film

Sara (Seret Scott)

Sara Rogers is a well-loved philosophy professor who worries that a summer in a small town will limit her research resources. She is drawn into the complex dynamics of love, art, and autonomy, and ultimately chooses to leave Victor after he harasses Celia.

🎓 Intellectual 💪 Independent 💔 Jealous

Victor (Bill Gunn)

Victor is a successful painter who rents the house to focus on his art. He becomes obsessed with Celia, and his jealousy intensifies as Celia and Carlos flirt with her. He crosses lines by harassing Celia, revealing a controlling streak.

🎨 Artist 💢 Jealous 🧭 Controlling

Celia (Maritza Rivera)

Celia is a Puerto Rican woman who forms a connection with Victor. She becomes the object of his obsession and faces his intrusive behavior while also catalyzing Sara's decision to confront Victor.

💃 Seductive 🧭 Targeted 🤝 Complex

Mother (Billie Allen)

Sara's mother provides support and counsel during the turmoil. She represents a grounding influence for Sara as she navigates marriage, autonomy, and personal safety.

👩 Guidance 💪 Supportive ❤️ Family

Carlos

Victor's friend and mentor, who flirts with Celia and heightens the sexual tension at the rented house.

💬 Mentor 🧭 Flirtation 🔥 Tension

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:14

Major Themes – Losing Ground (1982)

Explore the central themes of Losing Ground (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💢 Jealousy

Jealousy fuels the central conflict as Victor fixates on Celia and grows possessive when Sara forms connections with others. The tension between Victor's art and his control over the relationship reveals a power imbalance. The theme examines how romantic rivalries can erode trust and threaten personal autonomy.

🌟 Autonomy

Sara asserts her own intellectual and personal agency, challenging Victor's plans and insisting on boundaries. Her decision to leave the house and pursue her film work demonstrates a push for independence. The narrative contrasts her steady, contemplative nature with Victor's impulsive artistry.

🎨 Gaze & Art

Victor's painting of local women and Celia reflects the male gaze and objectification that permeates the story. The dynamic between art, desire, and ownership underlines how creative pursuits can collide with personal consent. Sara's filmmaking also reframes agency through art, contrasting the two worlds.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:14

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Losing Ground Summary

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Losing Ground Summary

Losing Ground Timeline

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Losing Ground Timeline

More About Losing Ground

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More About Losing Ground

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