Character Relationship Map: Anger Management

Characters

• Dave Buznik (played by Adam Sandler) — protagonist

  A traumatized secretary who avoids public affection after childhood bullying. Sentenced to anger management therapy after an airport incident, he undergoes radical round-the-clock treatment under Dr....

• Dr. Buddy Rydell (played by Jack Nicholson) — protagonist

  A renowned, unconventional therapist who takes over Dave's case after a flight incident. He imposes radical round-the-clock therapy, moving in with Dave and accompanying him to work. Using provocative...

• Linda (played by Marisa Tomei) — supporting

  Dave's girlfriend who struggles with his fear of public affection. She is close friends with his arrogant co-worker Andrew, who desires to rekindle their relationship. She agrees to a trial separation...

• Galaxia / Security Guard Gary (played by Woody Harrelson) — supporting
• Andrew (played by Allen Covert) — supporting

  Dave's arrogant co-worker who is close friends with Linda and secretly desires to rekindle their romantic relationship. He is promoted to a position Dave expected, which triggers Dave's anger. Dave ev...

• Flight Attendant (played by Marisa Chandler) — minor
• Chuck (played by John Turturro) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Andrew → Linda (Former Romantic Interest)

  Andrew is close friends with Linda and desires to rekindle their romantic relationship.

• Dave Buznik → Linda (Romantic Boyfriend)

  Dave works through his fear of public affection with his girlfriend Linda and later proposes to her.

• Dave Buznik → Dr. Buddy Rydell (Professional Therapist And Patient)

  Dave is sentenced to anger management under Dr. Buddy Rydell after the airplane incident.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dave Buznik → Galaxia / Security Guard Gary (Social Provoked Participant)

  Buddy forces Dave to interact with Galaxia, and Galaxia later lets Dave onto the stadium field while working as security guard Gary.

• Dr. Buddy Rydell → Galaxia / Security Guard Gary (Narrative Therapy Accomplice)

  The ending reveals that most people involved in the aggravations were part of Buddy's plan, while Galaxia later appears as security guard Gary.

• Dr. Buddy Rydell → Linda (Alliance Therapy Collaborator)

  Linda reveals that she and Buddy planned the staged final phase after she read Buddy's anger management book.

• Dave Buznik → Flight Attendant (Conflict Accused Aggressor)

  A flight attendant views Dave's frustration as screaming anger, leading to his arrest for allegedly assaulting her.

• Dave Buznik → Andrew (Conflict Workplace Rival)

  Andrew is promoted to the position Dave expected, causing Dave to punch him in the face.

• Dave Buznik → Chuck (Alliance Anger Buddy)

  Dave is assigned to interact with other therapy clients and has a bar fight with his anger buddy Chuck.

Story Analysis

A traumatized man learns to confront fear, anger, and emotional avoidance through an extreme therapeutic ordeal.

Plot Progression

1. Trauma Takes Flight
2. The Therapist Moves In
3. Provocations And Separation
4. The Stadium Test
5. The Hidden Lesson