Characters / Imaginary Heroes

Tim Travis

Actor(s): Emile Hirsch

A troubled high school student who is living in the shadow of his brother's reputation and suicide.

Tropes:

• Alliterative Name
• Butt-Monkey: Finds his elder brother dead, then is publicly humiliated at his funeral, then is involved in a drunk driving incident that leaves him with a broken leg and a sentence of community service. Also suffers from romantic issues. And suffers several punches throughout the movie.
• Calling the Old Man Out: Confronts Ben for his lack of warmth towards him.
• Deceptive Legacy: Finds out that his biological father isn't the one he thought.
• Drunk Driver: Becomes one and is punished with community service.
• Homoerotic Subtext: His friendship with Kyle may have something more to it, at least up until they are revealed to be half-brothers.
• Phony Veteran: When asked about his car crash-induced broken leg during his stint at a retirement home, he claims that it was obtained during the Vietnam War. Given that the said war took place some 30-40 years prior and Tim is a teenager, this is quite an outlandish lie.
• Sex for Solace: Off-screen with Kyle.
• Surprise Incest: After his New Year's Eve one-night stand with Kyle, he finds out that they are in fact half-brothers.
• Toxic Friend Influence: Quite literal in this case, as Kyle directs him towards drugs.
• Troubled, but Cute: Perhaps less so than his bestfriend Kyle.
• Troubled Teen: He acts out in various ways due to a variety of family issues.
• The Woobie: While much of his behaviour is stupid, it's understandable given the circumstances, and the abuse and misfortune he suffers makes one sympathise with him.

Sandy Travis

Actor(s): Sigourney Weaver

A suburban housewife who is living through difficult times.

Tropes:

• Almighty Mom: Particularly evident when she confronts Tim's bully.
• Broken Tears: After she gets busted for attempting to buy marijuana.
• Descent into Addiction: Gets too hooked on marijuana, which eventually leads to legal issues.
• Liquid Courage: Appears to be drunk when she arrives at the school bully's trailer. Her throwing up afterwards makes it more clear.
• Near-Death Experience: Has one once all of the stress gets a bit much.

Ben Travis

Actor(s): Jeff Daniels

An aloof father who has just lost his favourite son.

Tropes:

• Alcoholic Parent: Drinks heavily following his elder son's death.
• Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: During a Christmas party, he shows Tim up in front of the entire room, essentially saying that his surviving son is a good-for-nothing.
• Archnemesis Dad: Has, at best, a cold relationship with Tim and sometimes an outright hostile one. He makes several remarks that explicitly suggest that he doesn't think much of him.
• Jerkass: Is quite unsympathetic to other members of his family, particularly Tim.
• Like Father, Unlike Son: Has little to relate to Tim. The reason for this is later revealed.

Penny Travis

Actor(s): Michelle Williams

The sister of Tim and Matt Travis who has moved away from home.

• Only Sane Woman: Compared to the rest of her family, she is stable and measured.
• Satellite Character: Usually seen sharing in the grief with other members of the Travis family, most often Tim.

Matt Travis

Actor(s): Kip Pardue

A successful swimmer whose suicide causes severe consequences.

• Mistaken for Masturbating: Sandy suspects that all of the time he spends in the shower during the final days of his life is due to masturbation. In fact, he was crying.
• Posthumous Character: Is found to have killed himself within the first few minutes of the film. The rest of the film deals with the fallout.
• Small Role, Big Impact: Has very limited screentime and lines, but his presence is felt throughout the entire movie.

Kyle Dwyer

Actor(s): Ryan Donowho

The best friend of Tim Travis who, like him, appears to be troubled.

Tropes:

• Addled Addict: Ends up naked on a golf course as a result.
• Bully Hunter: When a school bully injures Tim in the bathroom, he proceeds to beat up the said bully.
• Hide Your Gays: Sleeps with Tim after a New Year's Eve of partying and consuming various substances. However, it's largely brushed over, although it's also implied that Kyle may be the one of the two with the more genuine romantic interest in the other.
• Surprise Incest: His best friend Tim, with whom he has a one-night stand, is later revealed to be his half-brother.
• The Prankster: Quite gleefully carries out a prank that leads to the school being taken outside and him being driven home in a police car.
• Troubled, but Cute: More so than Tim, given that he has a greater tendency to be the instigator of mischief.