Max Rothman (played by John Cusack) is a protagonist in Max.
Munich art dealer and WWI veteran who lost his right arm. Married to Nina with a mistress named Liselore. He discovers and patronizes a young Adolf Hitler's artistic talent, attempting to guide him away from politics. Ultimately, he is savagely beaten to death by anti-Semites incited by Hitler's rally speech while waiting for him at a cafe. Adolf Hitler (played by Noah Taylor) is a protagonist in Max.
Young WWI veteran and aspiring painter disgruntled over Germany's post-war humiliation. Initially a struggling artist, he is encouraged by Max Rothman to pursue art, though he harbors strong anti-Semitic views and nationalist ambitions. He eventually embraces propaganda under Captain Mayr's guidance, delivering inflammatory speeches that incite the violence leading to Rothman's death. Liselore von Peltz (played by Leelee Sobieski) appears in Max.
Max Rothman's mistress. No further plot details are provided in the summary. Max's Mother (played by Janet Suzman) appears in Max.
Max's Father (played by David Horovitch) appears in Max.
Max (2002) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Max Rothman
(played by John Cusack) — protagonist
Munich art dealer and WWI veteran who lost his right arm. Married to Nina with a mistress named Liselore. He discovers and patronizes a young Adolf Hitler's artistic talent, attempting to guide him aw...
Adolf Hitler
(played by Noah Taylor) — protagonist
Young WWI veteran and aspiring painter disgruntled over Germany's post-war humiliation. Initially a struggling artist, he is encouraged by Max Rothman to pursue art, though he harbors strong anti-Semi...
Liselore von Peltz
(played by Leelee Sobieski) — supporting
Max Rothman's mistress. No further plot details are provided in the summary.
Max's Mother
(played by Janet Suzman) — supporting
Max's Father
(played by David Horovitch) — supporting
Key Relationships
Max's Father → Max Rothman
(father)
Max's Mother → Max Rothman
(mother)
Max Rothman → Adolf Hitler
(Professional Mentor)
Max Rothman → Liselore von Peltz
(Romantic Mistress)
Story Analysis
A mentorship between an art dealer and a young Hitler explores how artistic patronage fails to contain rising political extremism.
