Posted by Jan den Breejen on December 25, 1998 at 04:18:34:
Often movies portray the negative side of an enneatype. This christmas tale is a romantic story about the personal growth of an E1 bank manager and an E3 'can do' widow who start with antagonistic dynamics. All is not going well with the young widow Julia (played by Olivia Newton John). It's almost Christmas time and the manager of the local bank visits Julia, announcing that her debts has risen so high that he will have to sell her little farm and house. The stressfull situations enclose the sensitive and good sides of their characters, they fall in love and......
The characters analyzed:
Julia: healthy 'reality check' E3
Her two childrens say about her 'mammie can do everything'; she is one of those E3's who has 'no problem' with difficult situations; at least that's the image she wants to convey. She's very productive and practical; knows how everything works; energetic doer, confident and competent. Her role playing is towards her children that everything is under control and that they can manage the difficult situation; debts, no father, freezing weather (motivator-role.)A facet of E3-ishness that is not often seen in the movies is their 'got it all together'attitude combined with trying to impress often leads to them putting great energy into helping people in need. This very contrast (needy vs 'can do') of course is part of their unconscious image manipulating drive. But it can make the E3 sympathetic (as well as mysterious; hiding weaknesses)
the bank manager: E1
He's an judgemental nitpicking mindman (i.e. clumsy); makes a nice contrast with the pragmatic 'hands on' E3 Julia. He criticizes her behavior and tells her what to do, without any diplomacy in his tone of voice regarding the negative emotional consequences what needs to be done ('just sell your house and go to the city')
It's nice to see that his stern behavior and image is a really sensitive man whose standards towards himself exceed those of his environment (he's sad that he got no recognition for his hard work on the bank). He also has the typical E1-ish feelings of guilt (buying presents for the family is a result of these feelings of guilt)
the elder child: E6
Shes worried about the sheep dying (loyalty towards animal) about the bank manager being an escaped criminal (when he awakes she wants to hit him with a large book out of fear)
the younger child: E2
A little stalker; clings on the legs of the bank manager when he wants to leave and chases him down in the snow (but when she's in his car her own needs pop up: 'I am cold')
the sheep doctor: E7-ish