The Rich Are Always with Us

A New York socialite navigating a scandalous marriage and a rekindled romance. She is strong-willed and pragmatic, choosing to balance love with duty even as she faces pressure from her social circle. Her decision to wed Julian in the hospital moment underscores her sense of responsibility toward Greg while keeping hope for the future.

A wealthy stockbroker whose affair with Allison triggers the central crisis. He pleads for reconciliation and shows vulnerability in the wake of the accident. His relationship with Caroline complicates the couple’s choices and tests the endurance of marriage.

A novelist and war correspondent who loves Caroline. He proposes marriage after her divorce, and his plans to travel to the Far East symbolize escape and possibility. He is drawn into a triangle of romance that is resolved by Caroline’s sense of duty.

Caroline’s rival who tries to orchestrate a scandal to separate Caroline from Julian. Her scheming highlights the social stakes of romance and reputation. Her actions propel the plot toward a dramatic confrontation and the unraveling of the lovers’ plans.

Caroline’s friend who pressures Julian into a relationship and offers strategic advice. She provides a counterpoint to Caroline’s loyalty, adding complexity to the love triangle. Her role helps steer Caroline toward the decision to protect Greg while keeping a path to happiness open.

Medical authority at the hospital who informs the prospects of reconciliation. He embodies care and clinical realism, reinforcing the stakes of Greg’s recovery. His presence underscores the theme of healing and the weight of medical and moral decisions.

The judge who performs the hospital wedding, representing formal legitimacy in a moment of personal crisis. He serves as a mediator between private desires and public law. His involvement crystallizes the film’s themes of duty, legitimacy, and irreversible choices.