Character Relationship Map: Like Crazy

Characters

• Jacob Helm (played by Anton Yelchin) — protagonist

  American college student who falls deeply in love with British exchange student Anna. Their relationship is tested by her visa deportation and a long-distance ban. He visits London, marries Anna to he...

• Anna Gardner (played by Felicity Jones) — protagonist

  British exchange student who overstays her visa to stay in LA with Jacob. After being deported and banned from the US, she navigates a painful long-distance relationship, dates Simon, and advances her...

• Sam (played by Jennifer Lawrence) — supporting

  A woman who falls in love with Jacob and dates him while he is in the US during his separation from Anna. Jacob breaks up with her to marry Anna, but they later rekindle their relationship after Anna...

• Simon (played by Charlie Bewley) — supporting

  A man who dates Anna while she is in London dealing with her visa ban. He proposes to her, but she declines. Anna's parents do not take a liking to him, and she eventually leaves him to pursue her fee...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Anna Gardner → Jacob Helm (Romantic Lovers) — Their mutual love is the central emotional relationship of the film.

  Anna meets Jacob while studying in Los Angeles, and they fall in love with each other.

• Anna Gardner → Simon (Romantic Dating Partners) — Simon represents Anna's attempt to build a new life away from Jacob.

  While living in London, Anna starts dating Simon.

• Jacob Helm → Sam (Romantic Dating Partners) — Sam becomes Jacob's alternative relationship during his separation from Anna.

  After returning to the United States, Jacob starts dating Sam while Anna remains in London.

Story Dynamics

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

• Anna Gardner → Sam (Conflict Romantic Rivals) — Their relationships with Jacob create an indirect romantic rivalry.

  Jacob dates Sam during his separation from Anna, and later returns to Sam after his relationship with Anna breaks down.

Story Analysis

A devoted couple struggles against immigration barriers, distance, alternative relationships, and the lasting consequences of separation.

Plot Progression

1. A Summer Without Borders — Anna and Jacob meet at college in Los Angeles and fall in love. Anna stays after graduation, unaware that her student visa has expired.
2. The Banished Return — Anna returns to Los Angeles after visiting London but is detained, denied entry, and deported. The entry ban turns their romance into a painful long-distance relationship.
3. Promises Across Oceans — Jacob visits Anna in London, where they consider marriage as a possible solution to the immigration problem. After reconnecting, they marry and promise to protect their feelings.
4. A Marriage In Waiting — Jacob leaves for Los Angeles while the couple waits for the visa appeal. When the appeal is rejected, jealousy and frustration damage their marriage, while both begin other relationships.
5. The Cost Of Returning — Anna advances professionally but cannot replace Jacob emotionally. After receiving a new visa, she rejects Simon and returns to Los Angeles, where she and Jacob face their changed relationship.