Joseph (played by Craig Sheffer) is a protagonist in Bliss.
Joseph is a young architect married to Maria for six months. Troubled by their unfulfilling sex life, he joins her in counseling and is shocked to discover that she has never experienced a genuine orgasm with him. After confronting Baltazar, he becomes a patient and attempts techniques that lead to Maria's hospitalization. Maria (played by Sheryl Lee) is a protagonist in Bliss.
Maria is Joseph's young wife, whose sexual dysfunction prevents the couple from enjoying a fulfilling marriage. Dissatisfied with Alfred's traditional counseling, she seeks help from Baltazar. During treatment, a seizure leads to her hospitalization, where her difficulties are connected to childhood sexual abuse and the need to confront painful memories. Baltazar (played by Terence Stamp) appears in Bliss.
Baltazar is an alternative sex therapist who uses sexual contact with patients as part of his therapeutic technique. Joseph discovers him having sex with Maria and angrily confronts him, but later becomes his patient. Baltazar's methods therefore directly affect both members of the troubled couple and shape their attempt to recover intimacy. Alfred (played by Spalding Gray) appears in Bliss.
Alfred is the marriage counselor consulted by Joseph and Maria when their sex life begins causing serious marital difficulties. He uses a traditional psychoanalytic approach, but Maria is dissatisfied with the results and eventually seeks help from Baltazar instead. His counseling initiates the couple's effort to address their problems.
Bliss (1997) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Joseph
(played by Craig Sheffer) — protagonist
Joseph is a young architect married to Maria for six months. Troubled by their unfulfilling sex life, he joins her in counseling and is shocked to discover that she has never experienced a genuine org...
Maria
(played by Sheryl Lee) — protagonist
Maria is Joseph's young wife, whose sexual dysfunction prevents the couple from enjoying a fulfilling marriage. Dissatisfied with Alfred's traditional counseling, she seeks help from Baltazar. During...
Baltazar
(played by Terence Stamp) — supporting
Baltazar is an alternative sex therapist who uses sexual contact with patients as part of his therapeutic technique. Joseph discovers him having sex with Maria and angrily confronts him, but later bec...
Alfred
(played by Spalding Gray) — supporting
Alfred is the marriage counselor consulted by Joseph and Maria when their sex life begins causing serious marital difficulties. He uses a traditional psychoanalytic approach, but Maria is dissatisfied...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Maria → Baltazar
(Professional Therapist And Client)
Maria's difficulties are discussed in connection with treatment, and her character profile says she seeks help from Baltazar after becoming dissatisfi...
Joseph → Baltazar
(Professional Therapist And Client)
The reference says Joseph begins working with Baltazar, describes his intimacy with Maria, and follows some of Baltazar's exercises.
Joseph → Maria
(Family Husband And Wife In Crisis)
The reference says Joseph and Maria marry and remain together while seeking help. Maria later asks to separate and tells Joseph to move out.
Maria → Alfred
(Professional Counselor And Client)
Maria speaks with Alfred about Joseph's request that she demonstrate how she likes to be touched. Alfred also tells Joseph that Maria has improved but...
Joseph → Alfred
(Professional Counselor And Client)
Joseph and Maria seek help through therapy, and Joseph later appeals to Alfred when Maria asks to separate. Alfred challenges Joseph's motives for try...
Story Analysis
A troubled marriage is tested by emotional distress, mismatched ideas of intimacy, and competing approaches to help.
Plot Progression
Love Under Strain
Counseling and Suspicion
Baltazar's Exercises
Separation on the Horizon
An Unresolved Marriage
Directed by Lance Young
Bliss (1997) · 6.4/10 · drama, romance
Content sources
Related entry on
Wikidata
(Q23016667), public domain (CC0).
Plot breakdown and analysis on this page are AI-generated from the title's synopsis and metadata.
