Character Relationship Map: Plenty

Characters

• Susan Traherne (played by Meryl Streep) — protagonist

  The film's protagonist, a former WWII courier whose idealistic youth fades into post-war disillusionment. She navigates a series of failed relationships, a nervous breakdown, and marital dissatisfacti...

• Alice Park (played by Tracey Ullman) — protagonist

  Susan's close friend who provides her with temporary housing in London. She reconnects with Susan years later during a visit to Jordan, where she observes Susan's subdued and declining condition.

• Sir Leonard Darwin (played by John Gielgud) — supporting

  A high-ranking diplomat and Raymond's employer. His resignation over the Suez Crisis and subsequent death serve as catalysts that disrupt Susan and Raymond's life in Jordan and push Susan toward drast...

• Mick (played by Sting) — supporting

  Alice's former boyfriend who reluctantly agrees to help Susan conceive a child. After failed attempts, Susan terminates their arrangement aggressively, culminating in a tense confrontation where she s...

• Sir Andrew Charleson (played by Ian McKellen) — supporting

  A senior official Susan confronts in 1962 regarding Raymond's stalled diplomatic career. Susan uses a suicide threat to pressure him, successfully forcing Raymond's premature retirement.

• Lazar (played by Sam Neill) — supporting

  A British operative who shares a passionate wartime romance with Susan in 1943. Decades later, they briefly reunite, but he departs after discovering she kept his wartime cufflinks and witnessing her...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Alice Park → Mick (Romantic Former Couple) — Mick's past relationship with Alice connects him to Susan's later request that he help her conceive.

  The plot identifies Mick as Alice's former boyfriend.

• Susan Traherne → Sir Andrew Charleson (Power Coercive Career Petition) — Susan attempts to influence Raymond's career through pressure on Sir Andrew, but the outcome is Raymond's dismissal rather than promotion.

  In 1962, Susan confronts Sir Andrew about Raymond's stagnant career and threatens suicide unless Raymond is promoted. Raymond is subsequently dismisse...

• Susan Traherne → Mick (Romantic Failed Conception Arrangement) — Their relationship begins as an arrangement to conceive a child and ends in an armed confrontation after repeated failure.

  Susan asks Mick to father her child, and he is hesitant because she intends to raise the child alone. Their attempts to conceive fail, and Susan ends...

• Susan Traherne → Lazar (Romantic Wartime Lovers) — Their brief wartime affair becomes a lasting emotional attachment for Susan; their later reunion ends when Lazar leaves after seeing her psychological fragility.

  In 1943, Susan and Lazar escape German troops, become emotionally intimate, and make love. Years later they reunite, and Susan still has the cufflinks...

Story Dynamics

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

• Susan Traherne → Sir Leonard Darwin (Narrative Catalyst And Acquaintance) — Sir Leonard's funeral gives Susan an opportunity to leave Jordan and refuse to return.

  Susan works for the coronation committee and later returns to England for Sir Leonard's funeral, angering Raymond.

• Susan Traherne → Alice Park (Social Close Friends) — Alice provides Susan with a place to live and later recognizes her diminished spirits during a visit.

  Susan lives with Alice after taking a clerk's job. Years later, Alice visits Susan in Jordan and notices that she has become subdued.

Story Analysis

Susan's passage from wartime idealism through unstable relationships and postwar disillusionment is framed by memories of hope and the life that followed.

Plot Progression

1. Wartime Encounter and Parting — Susan and Lazar meet in the woods during the war, escape German troops, and become lovers. Lazar leaves after a wireless warning, giving Susan his cufflinks as a memento.
2. Loss and New Attachments — Tony dies while with Susan, and she asks Raymond to handle the news for Tony's real wife. Susan and Raymond develop a relationship as she works and lives with Alice.
3. A Failed Search for Motherhood — Susan works for the coronation committee and asks Mick to father her child, intending to raise it alone. After their attempts to conceive fail, she ends the arrangement in a tense confrontation.
4. Marriage and Growing Discontent — Following a nervous breakdown, Susan marries Raymond but remains dissatisfied with their comfortable life. Her erratic behavior and Raymond's changing diplomatic circumstances deepen the strain.
5. Return, Rupture, and Memory — In Jordan, Susan's return to England for Sir Leonard's funeral becomes a break from Raymond's wishes. She pressures Sir Andrew, leaves Raymond, and briefly reunites with Lazar before the film returns...