you never get a second chance to make a first impression

Boss Finley:

A Scottish surname​ derived from the Gaelic name Fionnlagh, meaning "fair warrior."

That’s interesting because he is more like the opposite. He’s a rich, possessive, selfish, control freak (bossy if you will), and liar. He’s a jerk that only cares for himself and does whatever he wants for his selfish desires. He is in control of everything in this small town. It's crazy! Though the text says that the way he looks at Heavenly is totally non romantic, I was still very creeped out for a fictional character. Especially once you learn Heavenly is a spitting image of her mother whom Boss Finley lost. She is also young and his daughter! Also, he has a lot of say in her life. Too much for a young adult. (I know this time period it is more common but the way he does it is just too much for comfort) He is very traditional. He even tried to set Heavenly with a super old, rich guy. Instead of allowing her, oh I don't know, marrying the guy she loves. But yeah whatever, right? It’s annoying how much he cares about his daughter’s image while he has a mistress and is spending so much money on everyone else but his family. I hate how he has a mistress but then wants his daughter to present herself as pure and innocent even though she is no longer a virgin. He wants to make decisions for everyone and he does it as he pleases. He didn't want Heavenly to marry the man she loved. He is threatening her to do something she doesn't want to. He asks her how she wants Chance to disappear.  He doesn't even let Heavenly receive a phone call. Then he has a mistress whom he pretends he doesn’t know who they are talking about when questioned about it.

  

Tom Junior

He seems like he doesn't get a lot of his father’s approval/attention. Maybe he did it for his attention to see if Boss would do anything. I don't really like him.  I feel like his dad is more focused on his daughter than his son. That's never good parenting. Also he doesn't have a good first impression as the only way he could pass his classes was by his father paying for the answers to tests. Is that the way he could have passed his classes. So he does not have a good first impression either. Overall he came off as a failure. He seems too dependent on his dad and acts so that his father keeps him around. His father doesn't seem to care about him too much because he doesn't hold back his temper/crude towards him (when Boss says he had to pay for the answers) and then Boss is super happy to see that his daughter entered.

Aunt Nonnie

So far she has a very small role but it is fairly significant as it leads you to some questions. I don't really have an opinion on her character. She is trying to be nice by warning Chance to leave before it gets ugly. I thought that was cool but also what is the real reasoning behind that. Boss Finley suggests some romantic reasons. My initial impression was that that was too nice of her to do. Everyone else seems to side with Boss Finley and follow his every command so it was also pretty cool that she would do something that would go against/cross Boss Finley. I am curious to see how else of a role she might have further on.

Heavenly

The name heavenly has a very divine connotation to it. She seems kind. From the start Boss Finley takes advantage of that. She tells him she can't talk right now and yet Boss insists, instead of asking her what's wrong or postponing the conversation for another time. She repeatedly tells him she wants to live her life, with Chance Wayne, but her dad won’t let her. He just doesn't like him (possibly because he doesn't have money which is shallow). She just loves Chance. I feel kind of bad for her because she can't live her life. If only she knew the real reason for Chance's return to St. Cloud. If only Chance knew about Heavenly's feelings. And now her father is threatening her (forbidding her to be with him) and she must come to a decision. She also seemed like she was forced into a "whore's procedure." Totally whore-able (haha, get it?) of her father to push her towards that decision. At least it comes off that he did so. (Also the way Boss Finley does mention that ugh). Overall, my first impression of her is mostly pitiful. Someone else is dictating her life!! We only have one life and we shouldn't let one person take over it. (I know society was more patriarchal back then so she didn't have much of a choice) So, what a shame.

   

   

 

 
“Princess I didn't think you’d have these attacks anymore. I thought that having me to protect you would stop these attacks of panic.”

Well Chance is saying how he wants to get his old girlfriend back but he just slept with some girl. Second he doesn't really want to say that that's the reason he's back. He doesn't even know how his mother died. The fact that he knew she was sick but never checked on her until now says a lot. All he is focused on is becoming famous and being with Heavenly. It is kind of scary the means he is willing to go to in order to do this. In short, he is a desperate and selfish man. He is selling his body to make a living as he couldn’t make it big in Hollywood. It’s just his luck that he met Alexandra del Lago in a cabana. That's as far as his luck runs, though. 

The girl he came back for is going to get married and he found out through the groom. Nothing is working for him. He’s not favorite character but I understand why he is acting this way. However, it doesn't excuse his behavior.

He took advantage of Princess’ vulnerability and that is uncalled for. He blackmails her and it seems to be very planned as he has a recorder handy. I found it interesting he was ready for it. I think he’s taking a huge risk (chance, if you will) by blackmailing Princess.

The last thing Alexandra (or anyone, really) wants is being arrested for smuggling drugs into the country. Chance does this for fame. I think that’s a lousy move. (Don't be a snitch) Alexandra is admitting her insecurities to him and all he can focus on is himself! He makes it worse too. He says, “You put on a good deal of weight after that disappointment you had last month.” True or not, you don't say that to someone. Maybe it’s just me but so far he isn’t my favorite character.

“I've been accused of having a death wish but it’s life that I wish for, terribly, shamelessly, on any terms whatsoever."

At first I thought Princess couldn't remember because she was losing her memory due to her getting old. Perhaps that might ring a little true, but the main reason for her strange behavior is due to her drinking and using drugs the day before. She’s hungover and can’t remember what happened, at first. What a lovely first impression, right??  She is in a vulnerable state and Chance takes advantage of this. Princess Kos is a retired movie star. She was very famous and thriving when she was younger. She is trying to make her big comeback but got insecure and feared negative feedback from everyone. She felt like she was too old for it. Thus, she ran away from her movie, succumbed to the escape of alcohol, drugs, and sex. So she’s been incognito as Princess Kos. She's dependent on an oxygen tank yet she smokes and drinks. Both of which do wonders to your body. I have always wonder how people who care so much about their looks and health will smoke and drink as often as they breathe. Overall, I feel bad for her. Just because she’s getting old, doesn't mean anything is wrong with her. That sucks that society has instilled that mindset in her. I feel like she shouldn’t let something inevitable and trivial get in the way of her passion. It’s pointless to have of all things, that be what stops you from doing what you want to do. I know cinema was different back then than it is right now, where people stay in the cinematic business no matter how old/bad they are. She’s okay of a character so far.