Reuben, Reuben

A bright college student drawn to a brilliant but unreliable poet, she stands at the crossroads of privilege and independence. Her relationship with Gowan exposes the fragility of her security and the courage it takes to break free from a dangerous romance. Her choices reflect resilience amid social pressure.

A creatively blocked Scottish poet who survives by exploiting affluent patrons and seducing their wives. He is witty and alluring, yet deeply self-destructive, with a drinking habit that imperils both his art and relationships. His downfall is knit to the social fabric of the suburb that finances his lifestyle.

Geneva’s mother, a matriarch within the affluent community who seeks to protect family reputation and maintain social norms. She embodies the era’s protective instinct and the pressure to keep appearances pristine. Her stance reveals the tensions between love, duty, and status.

A member of the wealthy Spofford circle who represents the privileges and expectations of the suburb. He personifies the ease with which exoticized lives can be funded within a closed social system. His presence underscores how privilege can enable questionable behavior.

Geneva’s father and a figure of the suburb’s social order. He embodies the drive for success and discretion, shaping the family’s choices and boundaries. His perspective highlights the pressure to uphold appearances in a prosperous, judgmental community.

A dentist who uses the pretext of free care as a weapon, ruining Gowan’s smile to teach him a brutal lesson. He acts as a catalyst for Gowan’s downfall by stripping away his confidence and forcing consequences. His role underscores the idea that some payback comes from everyday authority.

A local physician who represents the respectable presence of the community. His involvement adds a layer of credibility to the suburb’s social fabric and hints at the quiet power institutions hold over private lives. He stands as part of the backdrop against which the drama unfolds.

A social figure within the suburban circle, she embodies the gossip, appearances, and judgments that govern the community. Her interactions contribute to the pressure surrounding relationships and reputation. She helps illustrate the social terrain that shapes the film’s events.

A member of the suburb’s social world who participates in its etiquette and routines. Her presence emphasizes the norms and expectations of the community that influence how characters act and react. She helps populate the environment where Gowan’s manipulations play out.