Character Relationship Map: Just Getting Started

Characters

• Duke (played by Morgan Freeman) — protagonist

  Former defense lawyer for dangerous criminal organizations, now managing the Villa Capri senior resort. He engages in a series of competitive challenges against the newcomer Leo. His past catches up w...

• Leo (played by Tommy Lee Jones) — supporting

  A former FBI agent who arrives at the resort and immediately clashes with Duke over a parking spot. He consistently wins various competitions against Duke, from poker to golf. He assists Duke during a...

• Suzie (played by Rene Russo) — supporting

  The regional director of the resort chain who arrives to evaluate management expenses. Initially impressed by Leo's poetry, she later becomes the target of Duke's romantic advances. Her dog is saved b...

• Margarite (played by Glenne Headly) — supporting

  A blonde resident who invites herself into Duke's villa upon his arrival. She reminds him about the scheduled poker night before he is distracted by Roberta.

• Roberta (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) — supporting

  A woman found wearing lingerie in Duke's bedroom while he is tidying up. Duke escorts her home before heading to the poker match.

• Oscar (played by Mel Raido) — supporting

  The son of the mafioso Duke previously sent to prison. He is identified on security camera footage and attempts to assassinate Duke by luring him and Leo into the desert, offering a trade for Suzie be...

• Johnny Mathis (played by Johnny Mathis) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Suzie → Johnny Mathis (Romantic Crush) — Johnny is the object of Suzie's stated romantic interest.

  The Christmas party description identifies Johnny Mathis as Suzie's crush.

• Duke → Johnny Mathis (Professional Musical Collaborators) — They perform together during the resort's Christmas celebration.

  At the Christmas party, Duke accompanies Johnny Mathis on piano.

• Leo → Suzie (Romantic Interest) — Their attraction develops alongside their eventual partnership.

  Leo asks Suzie to dance at the Christmas party, and she later takes over Villa Capri management with him.

• Duke → Suzie (Romantic Suitor) — Duke makes an unsuccessful romantic advance toward Suzie.

  At the bar, a very drunk Duke hits on Suzie, and she shoots him down.

Story Dynamics

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

• Duke → Roberta (Social Acquaintances) — Their interaction is an intimate but briefly depicted social encounter.

  Duke finds Roberta in lingerie in his bedroom and escorts her home before going to poker.

• Duke → Margarite (Social Resident Acquaintances) — Margarite is a socially familiar resident in Duke's resort life.

  Margarite invites herself into Duke's villa and reminds him that it is poker night.

• Leo → Oscar (Conflict Enemy) — Leo becomes directly involved in stopping Oscar's assassination scheme.

  Oscar lures Duke and Leo into the desert, but they overpower him.

• Duke → Oscar (Conflict Target And Avenger) — Oscar's pursuit is driven by Duke's past legal actions.

  Oscar is identified as the son of the mafioso Duke previously sent to prison and attempts to assassinate Duke.

• Duke → Leo (Conflict Rival) — Their rivalry begins as a contest for status at Villa Capri.

  Leo takes Duke's reserved parking spot and repeatedly defeats him in poker, golf, and other competitions.

Story Analysis

A retired defense lawyer's resort life is disrupted by rivalry, romance, and a revenge plot rooted in his criminal-defense past.

Plot Progression

1. A Rival Arrives — Duke manages Villa Capri until Leo arrives and immediately challenges his status by taking his parking spot. Their rivalry grows through poker, social competition, and golf.
2. Games With Hidden Threats — Leo continues defeating Duke while Duke faces increasingly strange disruptions, including a rattlesnake in his golf bag. A telephone call reveals that the attack was connected to a revenge plot.
3. Romance and Evaluation — Suzie arrives to evaluate Villa Capri's expenses and becomes involved with both men's social rivalry. Leo protects her during the coyote incident, while Duke continues competing with Leo.
4. The Attack Revealed — The Christmas party intensifies the rivalry between Duke and Leo. During their golf challenge, an exploding cart reveals that Duke's criminal past has returned with lethal consequences.
5. Desert Reckoning — Duke identifies Oscar and joins Leo in tracking him. After a van explosion and a desert trap involving Suzie, Duke and Leo overpower Oscar and survive.