Character Relationship Map: Nine Months

Characters

• Samuel Faulkner (played by Hugh Grant) — protagonist

  Child psychologist in a long-term relationship with Rebecca. Initially terrified of fatherhood after observing the Dwyer family. After Rebecca leaves him, he attempts to move on but ultimately decides...

• Rebecca Taylor (played by Julianne Moore) — supporting

  Ballet teacher and Samuel's long-term partner. Announces her pregnancy, leaves Samuel when he seems unready, moves in with the Dwyers, ignores his calls, eventually reconciles, marries him, and gives...

• Marty Dwyer (played by Tom Arnold) — supporting

  Overbearing father of three unruly daughters. His household and impending fourth pregnancy deeply affect Samuel's perception of parenting. He temporarily hosts Rebecca after she leaves Samuel.

• Gail Dwyer (played by Joan Cusack) — supporting

  Marty's wife and mother of three daughters. Expecting her fourth child. She hosts Rebecca, is delighted by Samuel and Rebecca's reconciliation, goes into labor at the hospital, and gives birth to a da...

• Sean Fletcher (played by Jeff Goldblum) — supporting

  Artist and Gail's brother. Perpetually single. Provides Samuel with confusing but ultimately helpful advice regarding fatherhood and encourages him to move on.

• Patsy Dwyer (played by Aislin Roche) — supporting
• Molly Dwyer (played by Alexa PenaVega) — supporting
• Shannon Dwyer (played by Ashley Johnson) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Gail Dwyer → Patsy Dwyer (Family Mother And Daughter) — Patsy is one of Gail's daughters in the family that hosts Rebecca.

  Gail is described as the mother of three daughters, and Patsy is listed as a Dwyer.

• Gail Dwyer → Molly Dwyer (Family Mother And Daughter) — Molly is one of Gail's daughters in the family that hosts Rebecca.

  Gail is described as the mother of three daughters, and Molly is listed as a Dwyer.

• Gail Dwyer → Shannon Dwyer (Family Mother And Daughter) — Shannon is one of Gail's daughters in the family that hosts Rebecca.

  Gail is described as the mother of three daughters, and Shannon is listed as a Dwyer.

• Marty Dwyer → Patsy Dwyer (Family Father And Daughter) — Patsy is one of the daughters in the family whose household life affects Samuel's expectations of parenting.

  Marty is described as the father of three unruly daughters, and Patsy is listed as a Dwyer.

• Marty Dwyer → Molly Dwyer (Family Father And Daughter) — Molly is one of the daughters in the family whose household life affects Samuel's expectations of parenting.

  Marty is described as the father of three unruly daughters, and Molly is listed as a Dwyer.

• Marty Dwyer → Shannon Dwyer (Family Father And Daughter) — Shannon is one of the daughters in the family whose household life affects Samuel's expectations of parenting.

  Marty is described as the father of three unruly daughters, and Shannon is listed as a Dwyer.

• Sean Fletcher → Gail Dwyer (Family Siblings) — Their sibling relationship is stated in the plot; Sean also advises Samuel, Gail's partner's friend.

  The plot identifies Sean as Gail's brother.

• Marty Dwyer → Gail Dwyer (Family Married Couple) — They share family life and both go to the hospital when Gail goes into labor.

  The plot describes Marty and Gail as a couple with three daughters, and says Gail is expecting a fourth child.

• Samuel Faulkner → Rebecca Taylor (Romantic Long-Term Partners) — Their relationship is tested by Samuel's fear of fatherhood, but he ultimately accepts responsibility and reunites with Rebecca.

  The plot describes Samuel and Rebecca as being in a long-term relationship. They separate after Rebecca becomes pregnant, then reconcile, marry, and h...

Story Dynamics

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

• Marty Dwyer → Rebecca Taylor (Social Host And Guest) — Marty shares his home with Rebecca while she is separated from Samuel.

  After Rebecca leaves Samuel, she moves in with Marty and Gail.

• Samuel Faulkner → Sean Fletcher (Social Friends) — Sean's advice influences Samuel as he struggles with the pregnancy and the separation.

  Sean is identified as Samuel's artist friend and gives him advice about fatherhood and moving on.

• Samuel Faulkner → Gail Dwyer (Social Acquaintances) — Gail's household affects Samuel's view of parenthood, and she supports the couple's reunion.

  Samuel encounters Gail and her family, and Gail later hosts Rebecca after Rebecca leaves him. Gail is delighted when Samuel and Rebecca reconcile.

• Samuel Faulkner → Marty Dwyer (Social Acquaintances) — Marty's family life gives Samuel an intimidating view of parenting.

  Samuel's encounters with Marty and his unruly daughters contribute to Samuel's fears about becoming a father.

• Rebecca Taylor → Gail Dwyer (Social Host And Guest) — Gail provides Rebecca a place to stay during her separation from Samuel.

  After Rebecca leaves Samuel, she moves in with Marty and Gail.

Story Analysis

Samuel moves from fear of fatherhood and separation to accepting responsibility, reconciling with Rebecca, and becoming a parent.

Plot Progression

1. An Unexpected Pregnancy — Rebecca tells Samuel she is pregnant, and her explanation about birth control does little to ease his concerns. Encounters with the Dwyer household and Sean's advice deepen his uncertainty about becom...
2. Separation and Distraction — Rebecca leaves Samuel because he seems unready for fatherhood and moves in with Marty and Gail. Samuel cannot reach her and tries new activities, but remains preoccupied with her.
3. A Choice to Step Forward — Samuel turns down a woman's advance and sees an ultrasound of his coming son. He decides to take responsibility, sells his Porsche, and buys a family car.
4. Reunion and Marriage — Samuel and Rebecca reconcile, making Gail delighted, and later marry. Their renewed commitment leads into the final rush to the hospital.
5. Two Births at the Hospital — Rebecca goes into labor during dinner, and the couple meets Marty and Gail at the hospital, where Gail is also in labor. Rebecca and Gail each give birth.