MAIN CHARACTERS
Raymond Redgreeves, the protagonist. Middle-aged white male. Buttoned-down, law and order Chief of Police in a small Wisconsin town. Older by several minutes than his twin brother, John, which he counts as a victory. A widower with two 13-year-old sons. Closed off emotionally, by the book, routine and authority is key for Raymond. He's ripe for a cathartic rebirth, and boy does he get it. Ideal casting for Raymond (and John) would be somebody like Joaquin Phoenix, who is great at showing a locked-down male psyche, but with emotions always bubbling just under the surface and threatening to become visible.
John Redgreeves, twin brother of Raymond and younger by several minutes. Middle-aged white male. A classic under-achiever, John's a mellow herb-friendly dude sidestepping his way dreamily through small-town life. Lives in a rented house owned by his older brother. Putzes around doing odd jobs and making furniture, boats and other stuff out of cardboard. His character arc is from slackerdom to adult success and newfound maturity.
(NOTE: Open to casting same actor as both Raymond and John, like Sam Rockwell in Moon).Bud Redgreeves, father of Raymond and John ("Dad"). Elderly white male. Abandoned Raymond and John (or "RJ" as he calls them) when they were in their 20s, now he's come back to die. Addled on painkillers, he basically turns into a horny old goat who wants to lie in the sun, drink wine, screw and see what his "boys" can make of themselves in his ridiculous contest for "Most Improved Boy". He cuts a wide swath through the picture. Sequences and moments of anger, nostalgia, lust, wisdom, tenderness.
Ginger, the registered nurse hired to take care of Dad. Middle-aged Latina woman. Ginger has patiently established herself as a career woman earning good money in a small Wisconsin town. By happenstance, Bud Regreeves becomes a patient of hers in the local hospital. By choice she becomes his personal caretaker. Also by choice she allows herself to develop feelings for Dad and form an unofficial union with him. In the process -- just through dogged acceptance and patience -- she forcefully breaks apart the dysfunctional Redgreeve family dynamics, and ends up in a place of triumph. This role -- which on first read might seem like a handbag role -- requires a strong, unmoveable actress who can convey power and emotional depth from the underdog position.
Fourth and Fifth, the 13-year-old twins of Raymond Redgreeves. So-called because Raymond and John are officially a II and III, and Raymond has continued the family tradition in lockstep. Fourth, the slightly older one, is a hyper-competitive Type A, has a girlfriend already, and full of plans to make his first billion (with a "b") by age 21. Fifth is an unfocused, elliptical kid who easily slips into reveries. These two brothers are like oil and water, and we can easily see the dysfunctional family dynamics seeping into their bones.
MINOR CHARACTERS
Jesus, a year-round Mexican laborer. 20-something Latino male. Jesus has papers but retains strong ties to Mexico and family back there, and plans to return someday. Bilingual and serves as a bridge between the illegal, seasonal Mexican laborers. First hire at John's new business, Cardboard Caskets.
Carlos, a seasonal migrant worker. 30s or 40s Latino male. Carlos is the self-described guardian of the illegal migrant workers as they work the seasonal crops and industries in small-town Wisconsin. Pivotal scene with Fifth requires him to sing a simple folk song and accompany himself on an acoustic guitar.
Dwayne, owner of the all purpose grocery store, feed and seed, and tackle shop on the state highway outside of town. 30-something white male. Also the local well digger, taxi driver, tow truck driver and hearse driver for the funeral home. If you want it fixed or done, Dwayne's probably your guy. John deputizes him to help him steal Dad's cottage at a certain point.
The Judge, one of the town fathers and member of the so-called Coffee Club which runs the small town with mostly benign old-generation authority. Elderly white male. Passable singing voice (performs in a barbershop quartet in one scene).
The Lawyer, one of the town fathers and member of the so-called Coffee Club which runs the small town with mostly benign old-generation authority. Elderly white male. Passable singing voice (performs in a barbershop quartet in one scene).
The Realtor, one of the town fathers and member of the so-called Coffee Club which runs the small town with mostly benign old-generation authority. Elderly white male. Passable singing voice (performs in a barbershop quartet in one scene).
The Banker, one of the town fathers and member of the so-called Coffee Club which runs the small town with mostly benign old-generation authority. Elderly white male. Passable singing voice (performs in a barbershop quartet in one scene).
TSA Goons, a pair of federal security agents. Early adult (20s-40s) white males. They come to help John transport a large number of "illegal" Mexicans out to big city Wisconsin, where they can be properly processed.
NON-SPEAKING EXTRAS
Latina and Latino adult migrant workers. Mixture of ages from late teens to elderly. Some speaking lines, most not.
