Godfrey Buckingham
Age: 45 Years Old
Ethnicity: Pakeha
Occupation: Career Criminal
Background:
Godfrey grew up in a broken home, with his very young parents separating when he was just a child. He was left to fend for himself in a shared flat full of teenagers and young adults, which was a mentally and physically challenging time in his life. This early exposure to a harsh environment led him to adopt a hardened and self-reliant demeanour.
Relationships:
Godfrey and Julia were married, but they separated after the tragic death of their infant son due to cot death. This event had a profound impact on both of them, but Godfrey was hit harder by the feelings of grief and guilt. He blames himself for the tragedy as he had hoped to be the parent he never had. Since their son’s death, he has distanced himself from Julia, and recently he has begun blaming her new boyfriend, Ken, for their relationship’s breakdown.
Impulsive:
Godfrey has a quick temper, which often leads him to make rash decisions and act without thinking things through. This impulsiveness is a manifestation of his unresolved grief and guilt.
Motivations:
Godfrey’s difficult childhood and the loss of his son have made him focus on self-preservation, resulting in a reluctance to trust others and build meaningful relationships. He tends to blame others for the problems in his life and seeks redemption, now directing this tendency towards Julia’s new boyfriend, Ken.
Arc:
A chance encounter with young Eddie, who has a child he’s never met, becomes a turning point for Godfrey. This meeting triggers memories of his own loss and the importance of family and connection. It leads him to recognize his absence from Julia’s life and the impact it’s had on their relationship.
Eddie’s situation helps Godfrey realise that his aggressive behaviour and selfish pursuit of Julia stem from a desire to protect himself from further pain and loss. He understands that his trauma has made him narrow-minded and self-centred, and he needs to change to build healthy relationships.
In an effort towards redemption, Godfrey decides to help Eddie escape the building and avoid the incoming police. He sees this as a way to make amends for his mistakes and start making things right. By helping Eddie, Godfrey connects with someone experiencing a similar struggle, offering the support and understanding he never had.
Through his actions, Godfrey gains a sense of purpose and renewed self-worth. He realises that true growth comes from helping others and building meaningful connections, rather than focusing solely on himself. Ultimately, Godfrey’s decision to help Eddie is a significant step towards becoming a better person and finding the love and connection he’s been seeking.
Eddie Lamo
Age: 18 Years Old
Ethnicity: Pacific Islander
Occupation: Unemployed
Personality Traits:
Eddie is a compassionate and empathetic young man, always striving to do the right thing. Despite facing numerous challenges, he remains hopeful and optimistic about the future. Resourceful and determined, Eddie is driven to go to great lengths to support his family, even when faced with difficult choices. He has a strong sense of justice and aspires to become a police officer but struggles with self-confidence due to his difficulties with school and finding stable employment.
Motivations:
Eddie’s primary motivation is to care for his grandmother and his 1-year-old son (who he has never met), who he had with his now ex-girlfriend. He is willing to take risks to make ends meet while dreaming of securing a stable job and creating a better life for his family. Eddie is determined to prove his worth and turn his dreams into reality, despite the obstacles in his path.
Background:
Orphaned at a young age, Eddie was taken in by his loving grandmother, who instilled strong Christian values in him. As a child, Eddie was a big-hearted dreamer, but he struggled with shyness and dyslexia, which made school challenging. His grandmother worked tirelessly to support them both, but after a fall, she could no longer work at her small local gift store. Consequently, Eddie had to leave school to run the store, despite his limited experience. Unfortunately, Ken’s All You Want department store opened nearby, forcing Eddie’s grandmother’s store to close and leaving Eddie jobless.
Arc:
Throughout the film, Eddie confronts the consequences of his actions as he attempts to break into Ken’s department store to steal Christmas presents for his son. Facing Ken’s fury and the possibility of legal repercussions, Eddie learns to take responsibility for his choices while discovering his inner strength and resilience. After the police view the security footage, they recognise Eddie’s good character and suggest that he could be a strong candidate for the police force if he cleans up his act. This revelation is incredibly reaffirming for him and inspires him to strive for a better future.
Ken Riley
Age: Late 60s
Ethnicity: Pakeha
Occupation: Franchise owner of All You Want department store
Relationship Status: Ken has no children and is in a relationship with Julia Buckingham
Personality Traits:
Ken is a complex character who exhibits both admirable and conflicting traits. Although he can appear opportunistic and self-important, driving a flashy Porsche 911 SC, he also has a caring nature, deeply valuing his employees and loved ones.
Aware of his flaws, Ken constantly seeks to better himself and his business, even if it involves taking risks or cutting corners. He has a strong desire to connect with others and goes above and beyond to help them, even when his assistance may not be appreciated or needed.
Navigating his insecurities and the pressures of running a competitive business, Ken’s journey may inadvertently impact those around him. It is important that he is not entirely unlikable, as the audience should recognize that Godfrey’s issues stem from his own internal struggles rather than Ken’s actions.
Arc / Purpose:
The character arc for Ken may not be as transformative as other characters, but it still serves an important purpose within the story. Ken’s character highlights specific themes and contrasts with Godfrey’s journey. This helps to emphasise the growth and change that Godfrey experiences throughout the film.
While Ken doesn’t undergo significant transformation, his encounter with Godfrey does prompt him to reevaluate his life and priorities. This can lead to subtle changes in his behaviour and interactions with others, adding depth to his character.
Constable Jane
Age: mid to late 40s
Ethnicity: Open
Occupation: Police Woman
Personality:
Jane has a physical presence that gives her confidence. She is a no nonsense person who takes her job seriously. She transferred to dog handling to keep herself fit and healthy, however, her diet is not in keeping with her lifestyle and she has pushed her body to the limit. This ultimately results in a cardiac arrest in the store.
Jane is tough in her job, but also has a softer side when it comes to her family and her dog Edwin. Although she jokes about Edwin’s name, it is clear that she cares for him deeply.
Melanie Jones
Age: Late 30s
Ethnicity: Open
Background:
Melanie comes from a stable family, but she has always felt a bit restless and unsatisfied with her life. She has a good job and a comfortable lifestyle, but she feels like there’s something missing.
Personality Traits:
Melanie is highly intelligent and has a great deal of self-confidence. She knows her worth and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Melanie’s directness can be off-putting to some people, but she doesn’t mind ruffling a few feathers in order to get what she wants.
Melanie is the kind of person who gets bored easily and is always looking for new experiences to keep her engaged. She enjoys taking risks and trying new things, even if they might seem a little bit dangerous or unconventional.
To combat her boredom, Melanie has a tendency to say yes to things that most people would avoid. In fact Melanie has a fascination with danger and is drawn to people who are involved in risky or illicit activities. This attraction is what initially draws her to Godfrey, the burglar.
Possible Arc:
Melanie’s attraction to danger and risk-taking behaviour leads her to team up with Godfrey at the end of the story to pull off a successful burglary. Her intelligence and adventurous spirit help them to succeed where he had previously failed.
