Character Relationship Map: Pollock

Characters

• Jackson Pollock (played by Ed Harris) — protagonist

  Struggling abstract expressionist painter and alcoholic. Moves to Long Island, marries Lee Krasner, and gains recognition after a Life magazine article. His career is marked by alcoholism, infidelity,...

• Lee Krasner (played by Marcia Gay Harden) — protagonist

  Artist and Pollock's wife. Initially takes pity on him and becomes his manager, later marrying him and moving to Long Island. Their marriage deteriorates due to his drinking and womanizing, and she ne...

• Ruth Kligman (played by Jennifer Connelly) — supporting

  Abstract artist who begins an extramarital affair with Pollock. She accompanies him on a drive that ends in a fatal car crash, resulting in her death alongside Pollock's.

• Howard Putzel (played by Bud Cort) — supporting

  Associate of Peggy Guggenheim who introduces Pollock to her. He facilitates Pollock's first contract and mural commission. His sudden death deeply affects Pollock, causing him to fall into a stupor.

• Reuben Kadish (played by Matthew Sussman) — minor
• Peggy Guggenheim (played by Amy Madigan) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Peggy Guggenheim → Howard Putzel (Professional Associate) — Howard operates within Peggy's professional art network.

  Howard works for Peggy Guggenheim and brings Pollock into contact with her.

• Howard Putzel → Jackson Pollock (Professional Career Facilitator) — Howard serves as a practical link between Pollock and Peggy's art world.

  Howard visits Pollock with Reuben and works for Peggy, helping connect Pollock to her.

• Jackson Pollock → Peggy Guggenheim (Professional Patron And Artist) — Peggy provides Pollock with an important professional opportunity.

  After Peggy views Pollock's work, she gives him a contract and commissions a large mural.

• Jackson Pollock → Lee Krasner (Family Spouse) — Their marriage becomes the central personal relationship in Pollock's life.

  Pollock and Lee marry before moving to Long Island.

• Jackson Pollock → Ruth Kligman (Romantic Extramarital Affair) — The affair intensifies the crisis in Pollock's marriage.

  Pollock starts an extramarital affair with abstract artist Ruth Kligman.

Story Dynamics

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

• Lee Krasner → Peggy Guggenheim (Social Artistic Circle Associate) — Lee and Peggy are connected through Pollock's professional art circle.

  Lee is present within Pollock's artistic world, including the period surrounding gatherings at Peggy's home.

• Reuben Kadish → Howard Putzel (Social Acquaintance) — Their shared visit establishes a social connection between them.

  Reuben visits Pollock while bringing Howard Putzel with him.

• Reuben Kadish → Jackson Pollock (Social Old Friend) — Reuben remains part of Pollock's earlier personal and artistic circle.

  Reuben is identified as Pollock's old friend and visits him with Howard.

• Lee Krasner → Ruth Kligman (Conflict Rival) — Ruth becomes an indirect rival within the collapsing marriage.

  Pollock's affair with Ruth occurs while his marriage to Lee is already strained.

Story Analysis

The film traces an artist's rise to recognition while alcoholism, infidelity, and unstable relationships undermine his personal life.

Plot Progression

1. A Painter Without Stability — Pollock struggles for recognition while moving through an unstable personal life. His alcoholism and dependence on others become increasingly visible.
2. Lee Takes The Risk — Lee responds to Pollock's collapse by taking him home and managing his career. Howard and Reuben help connect Pollock with Peggy Guggenheim.
3. Success Cannot Cure Him — A contract, mural commission, and Life magazine exposure bring Pollock recognition. Yet commercial pressure, drinking, and emotional instability continue.
4. Marriage In Decline — Pollock's public success contrasts with worsening private behavior. His relapse, flirting, and womanizing place increasing pressure on his marriage to Lee.
5. The Last Drive — Pollock's affair with Ruth continues as his marriage deteriorates. An intoxicated drive ends in a fatal crash, followed by an epilogue about Lee's life afterward.