GITS Script Reading and Analysis Series: “Up In The Air” — Characters

This week we are analyzing the screenplay for Up In The Air (screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, based on a novel by Walter Kirn).

You can access the 8/19/08 draft here. Today we discuss the script’s characters. Here is a list of the most prominent ones:

Ryan

Craig Gregory [Ryan’s boss]

Kara [Ryan’s sister]

Alex

Dianne [Ryan’s neighbor]

Kevin [Ryan’s assistant]

Natalie

Julie [Ryan’s sister who is getting married]

Jim [Julie’s fiance]

What’s your take on these characters? What narrative functions do they provide? What about Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, Trickster? Do any of those apply?

Does anybody go through any sort of metamorphosis? If so, how would you describe their arc?

See you in comments for your thoughts.

To read a transcript of Jason Reitman’s appearance on “Fresh Air” to discuss this movie, go here.

For Day 1 of our analysis, you can go here.

Part 2 here.

Tomorrow: Themes.

NOTE: THIS SERIES AND THE USE OF SCRIPTS IS STRICTLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES!

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