Character Relationship Map: That Night

Characters

• Rick (played by C. Thomas Howell) — protagonist

  A 17-year-old bowling alley worker who falls in love with Sheryl. Their relationship faces strong opposition from Sheryl's mother and neighborhood gossip. After a violent confrontation with neighbors...

• Sheryl O'Connor (played by Juliette Lewis) — protagonist

  A 17-year-old girl admired by 10-year-old Alice. She develops a passionate romance with Rick despite her mother's disapproval and neighborhood scandal. After becoming pregnant and being sent to an unw...

• Alice Bloom (played by Eliza Dushku) — supporting

  A 10-year-old girl deeply infatuated with Sheryl, copying her habits and watching her from her window. She becomes Sheryl's confidante and helps her and Rick hide their romance. After running away and...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Rick → Sheryl O'Connor (Romantic Lovers) — Their romance is the central relationship driving the plot.

  Rick and Sheryl become attracted to each other, share their first kiss, and continue seeing each other despite opposition.

• Alice Bloom → Sheryl O'Connor (Romantic Infatuation) — Alice's intense adolescent admiration for Sheryl shapes her view of love and identity.

  Alice is infatuated with Sheryl, watches her from across the street, and copies her perfume and record.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Alice Bloom → Rick (Alliance Secret Ally) — Alice actively supports Rick's efforts to reunite with Sheryl.

  Alice offers to help Sheryl sneak out, helps hide the relationship, and later accompanies Rick to locate Sheryl.

Story Analysis

A girl's idealized vision of love is tested by grief, social pressure, separation, and an unexpected hopeful reunion.

Plot Progression

1. Across The Street — Alice watches Sheryl and imitates her habits from across the street. At the bowling alley, Sheryl meets Rick after rejecting other young men's advances.
2. Love And Loss — Rick and Sheryl become attracted to each other, but Sheryl learns that her father has died. Their first kiss follows her grief at the funeral and bowling alley.
3. A Secret Romance — Rick and Sheryl spend a day and night together while Sheryl's mother opposes their relationship. Alice becomes Sheryl's confidante and helps the couple meet secretly.
4. Separation And Violence — Sheryl's pregnancy leads her mother to send her away to an unwed mother's home. Rick's attempts to reach her culminate in a neighborhood brawl and a week in jail.
5. The Difficult Choice — Alice runs away, and Rick takes her upstate to find Sheryl. Sheryl chooses adoption, but the final postcard says she and Rick travel west together.