Howie Blitzer (played by Paul Dano) is a protagonist in L.I.E..
The film's protagonist, a grieving teenager whose mother recently died in a car accident. He struggles with a distant father and an uncertain sexuality, relying on his delinquent friend Gary before developing a complex, non-sexual but emotionally charged relationship with Big John Harrigan, who acts as a surrogate father figure. Gary (played by Billy Kay) appears in L.I.E..
Howie's best friend and a juvenile delinquent who works as a hustler. He is openly attracted to Howie, facilitates the burglary at Big John's house, steals money from Howie's father before fleeing to Los Angeles, and is later revealed to be a victim of past abuse depicted in John's pornography stash. Scott (played by Walter Masterson) appears in L.I.E..
Big John's 19-year-old lover who becomes jealous when Howie temporarily displaces him in John's bed. He warns Howie away and, after being abandoned by John, returns to the rest area and shoots John dead in a fit of devastation.
L.I.E. (2001) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Howie Blitzer
(played by Paul Dano) — protagonist
The film's protagonist, a grieving teenager whose mother recently died in a car accident. He struggles with a distant father and an uncertain sexuality, relying on his delinquent friend Gary before de...
Gary
(played by Billy Kay) — supporting
Howie's best friend and a juvenile delinquent who works as a hustler. He is openly attracted to Howie, facilitates the burglary at Big John's house, steals money from Howie's father before fleeing to...
Scott
(played by Walter Masterson) — supporting
Big John's 19-year-old lover who becomes jealous when Howie temporarily displaces him in John's bed. He warns Howie away and, after being abandoned by John, returns to the rest area and shoots John de...
Key Relationships
Gary → Scott
(Unknown Indirect Connection)
Howie Blitzer → Scott
(Romantic Rival)
Howie Blitzer → Gary
(Social Best Friends)
Story Analysis
A coming-of-age drama exploring trauma, unconventional bonding, and the search for identity amid family fracture.
