See You in the Morning

See You in the Morning

Year: 1989

Runtime: 119 mins

Language: English

Director: Alan J. Pakula

RomanceDrama

Three years after divorcing his model wife, psychologist Larry Livingstone is ready to love again. He meets Beth, a widow with two grieving children still mourning their father. Larry struggles to break through their reservations while dealing with his ex‑wife and his own kids. Eventually the family embraces a second chance and moves forward together.

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Timeline & Setting – See You in the Morning (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of See You in the Morning (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York, London, Bloomingdale's

New York provides the urban backdrop where Beth and Larry’s romance begins amid contemporary city life. London becomes the backdrop for Beth’s family in the wake of the breakup, signaling a move that tests loyalties and roots. Bloomingdale’s appears as a concrete location in the story, highlighting a moment of rebellion for Cathy and illustrating the pressures of consumer culture within the characters’ lives.

🗽 New York 🌉 London 🏬 Bloomingdale's

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:52

Main Characters – See You in the Morning (1989)

Meet the key characters of See You in the Morning (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Beth Goodwin (Drew Barrymore)

Beth is a happily married mother of two who faces upheaval after her husband Peter’s paralyzing illness and suicide. She navigates a fragile romance with Larry while trying to stabilize her children. Her resilience and care for her family drive the emotional core of the story.

❤️ devoted 🏠 family-first 🧭 cautious about the future

Larry Livingstone (Jeff Bridges)

Larry is a psychiatrist living in New York who becomes involved with Beth. He grapples with fear of abandonment and balancing his own professional life with a complicated family dynamic. His evolving relationship with Beth tests his capacity for commitment and vulnerability.

❤️ conflicted 🧠 introspective 🏡 family-centered

Peter Goodwin

Peter is Beth’s husband whose sudden paralysis leads to his suicide, triggering a cascade of changes for Beth and her children. His death sets the emotional stakes for Beth and Larry’s relationship and the family’s future.

💔 tragic ⚖️ catalyst 🕊️ memory

Jo Livingstone

Jo is Larry’s ex-wife who arrives with a new partner and a dying mother, complicating Larry’s new romance. Her presence tests Beth and Larry’s trust and highlights the pull of past relationships.

💫 complicated 💬 presence 🕯️ caregiving

Cathy Goodwin

Cathy is Beth’s daughter, a spirited adolescent who experiences rebellion and consequences as the family navigates upheaval. Her actions reveal the challenges of growing up in a blended family.

🧒 adolescence 🗯️ rebellion 🧩 family

Petey Goodwin

Petey is Beth’s son who witnesses and participates in family dynamics, contributing to the tension and eventual realignment of the household.

🧒 curiosity 🌀 change 🧷 loyalty

Billy Livingstone

Billy is Larry’s son who forms part of the blended family, introducing younger perspectives to the evolving relationships.

👦 youth 🧸 innocence 🤝 cooperation

Robin Livingstone

Robin is Larry’s other child who copes with her father’s new relationship while processing family changes and her own feelings toward Beth.

👧 adjustment 💬 communication 🧭 guidance

Neenie

Neenie is Beth’s best friend Sidney’s mother, whose criticism marks the tensions surrounding Larry’s entry into Beth’s life and the broader acceptance of change.

👵 elder perspective 🗣️ guidance 💬 conflict

Sidney

Sidney is Beth’s confidante who offers advice about love and patience, illustrating how friendships influence romantic decisions.

👩 friendship 💡 counsel 🫶 support

Martin

Martin is a friend whose actions touch the theme of infidelity and forgiveness, influencing Beth’s decisions about her relationship with Larry.

🕊️ forgiveness 🧭 social circles 🗣️ influence

Larry’s Father

Larry’s father appears in family scenes, contributing to the generational perspective on marriage and responsibility.

👨 elder influence 🧭 guidance 🏠 roots

Beth’s Mother

Beth’s mother provides a familial touchpoint, reflecting the support and expectations placed on Beth during turbulent times.

👩 matriarch 🗣️ advice 🫶 care

Beth’s Father

Beth’s father offers a paternal viewpoint within the family drama, illustrating generational contrasts in handling upheaval.

👨 patriarch 🗣️ legacy 🏠 presence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:52

Major Themes – See You in the Morning (1989)

Explore the central themes of See You in the Morning (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love and Commitment

Love is tested as two wounded individuals seek companionship while balancing new bonds with shared pasts. Beth and Larry navigate desire, fear of repetition, and the responsibilities of blending a family. The story explores how trust is rebuilt after loss and how affection must endure imperfect circumstances. The film suggests that commitment requires resilience and openness to change.

👪 Family and Blending

The narrative centers on blending two fractured families into a cohesive unit. Beth’s children resist the new relationship, prompting friction and miscommunication with Larry. The couple must renegotiate roles, boundaries, and loyalties to create a sense of belonging. Through trials and small reconciliations, the idea of family evolves beyond bloodlines.

🕊️ Grief and Healing

Grief acts as a driving force, stemming from Peter’s suicide and Neenie’s shadow over Jo’s family. Characters seek solace in memory, forgiveness, and the possibility of new beginnings. Jo’s unresolved feelings and Larry’s guilt complicate decisions, while healing gradually emerges through shared support and renewed commitments. The conclusion suggests moving forward while honoring those lost.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:52

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See You in the Morning Summary

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See You in the Morning Summary

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See You in the Morning Timeline

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