Character Relationship Map: Things Change

Characters

• Gino (played by Don Ameche) — protagonist

  Gino is a humble Chicago shoe-shiner who agrees to take responsibility for a murder in exchange for money to buy a fishing boat after prison. He signs a confession and gives his fingerprints, enjoys a...

• Jerry (played by Joe Mantegna) — protagonist

  Jerry is a low-ranking gangster assigned to watch over Gino before his court confession. He takes Gino to Lake Tahoe, where their accidental treatment as powerful VIPs creates danger, and gradually be...

• Frankie (played by J.J. Johnston) — supporting

  Frankie is a henchman connected to Mr. Green's murder scheme. When the plan against Gino reaches its final stage, Frankie pleads guilty to the crime instead and receives a twenty-year sentence. His co...

• Mr. Green (played by Mike Nussbaum) — supporting

  Mr. Green is a Mafia Don who approaches Gino with an offer to pay him for accepting blame for a murder committed by another gangster. After Gino initially refuses, he appears ready to order a hit agai...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mr. Green → Frankie (Professional Boss And Henchman) — Frankie acts within Mr. Green's criminal organization.

  Frankie is identified as Mr. Green's henchman and later pleads guilty to the murder.

• Jerry → Mr. Green (Power Subordinate) — Jerry operates beneath the criminal hierarchy represented by Mr. Green.

  Jerry is a bottom-rung gangster who has recently been punished for failing to follow orders from his superiors.

• Gino → Mr. Green (Power Coerced Accomplice) — Mr. Green uses criminal authority and threats to control Gino.

  Mr. Green offers Gino money to take responsibility for a murder and appears to order a possible hit when Gino initially refuses.

• Gino → Jerry (Professional Protected Person) — Jerry serves as Gino's minder during the arranged confession.

  Jerry is assigned to watch over Gino while Gino prepares to confess in court.

Story Dynamics

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

• Jerry → Frankie (Conflict Assignment Rival) — Jerry becomes an unwilling participant in the consequences of Frankie's crime.

  Jerry is supposed to kill Gino to protect the operation, while Frankie is the gangster whose murder creates the legal crisis.

• Gino → Frankie (Narrative Legal Substitute) — Gino is positioned to absorb the legal consequences of Frankie's crime.

  Gino signs a confession and permits his fingerprints to be placed on the murder weapon, while Frankie later pleads guilty to the murder.

Story Analysis

A humble shoeshiner becomes entangled in a criminal scheme, while an assigned gangster discovers loyalty and chooses an honest future.

Plot Progression

1. The Price Of A Confession — Gino is offered money to accept responsibility for a murder he did not commit. After refusing and facing a possible hit, he signs the confession and prepares for prison.
2. A Minder Plans A Holiday — Jerry is assigned to supervise Gino before court. Dissatisfied with a dull hotel stay, Jerry takes him to Lake Tahoe for a final weekend of freedom.
3. The Accidental Mafioso — Gino's dignity and Jerry's exaggerated stories make them appear more powerful than they are. The resulting VIP treatment leads them into the orbit of an elderly Sicilian leader.
4. The Meeting And Escape — The elderly leader takes a liking to Gino, but the visit becomes dangerous when Mr. Green appears at a Mafia meeting. Jerry narrowly gets Gino back to Chicago.
5. A Different Kind Of Future — Jerry urges Gino to run, then discovers that Gino is actually marked for death and that Jerry must do the killing. Gino calls for protection, Frankie accepts the sentence, and Jerry joins Gino's shoes...