Paper Moon - Characters & Cast

Initially, Moses is motivated purely by money and self-preservation. He agrees to transport Addie only after extorting $200 for his troubles. As the film progresses, his motivation becomes more complex. While he continues to con for a living, his actions are increasingly driven by a desire to provide for Addie and, ultimately, by a powerful, unspoken love for her. His final act of returning for her, or at least allowing her to rejoin him, shows that his motivation has shifted from pure self-interest to a need for their connection.

Moses begins as a selfish, small-time grifter, seemingly unburdened by scruples. His primary motivation is his own survival and comfort. Initially viewing Addie as a nuisance and then as a tool for his cons, he slowly and reluctantly develops a deep-seated affection and sense of responsibility for her. He is repeatedly outmaneuvered and morally challenged by the nine-year-old in his charge. By the end, despite his attempts to do the 'right thing' by leaving her with her aunt, he has been fundamentally changed by their journey, choosing their unconventional family over a life of solitude.

Addie's primary motivation is to find a place of belonging and to secure the $200 she believes is rightfully hers. She clings to the possibility that Moses is her father, as it provides an anchor in her uprooted life. She is driven by a fierce need for stability and connection, which she finds in her partnership with Moses. Her cleverness and participation in the cons are not just for monetary gain, but are also her way of proving her worth to Moses and solidifying their bond.

Addie starts as a stoic, recently orphaned nine-year-old, but quickly reveals herself to be exceptionally intelligent, observant, and resilient. She is not a passive ward but an active participant who quickly masters the art of the con, often proving more adept than Moses. While tough and cynical on the surface, her vulnerability and longing for a father figure are evident. Her arc is one of finding a sense of belonging and family in the most unlikely of circumstances. She ultimately chooses the uncertain but emotionally fulfilling life on the road with Moses over the stability offered by her aunt.

Trixie is motivated by a desire for comfort and security. She attaches herself to Moses because he has a car and a little money, offering a temporary reprieve from her hard life. As her maid Imogene reveals, she has to 'put out' to get by, suggesting her actions are driven by desperation rather than malicious intent. She seeks a protector and a provider, but her methods and her personality clash with the established dynamic between Moses and Addie.

Trixie is a traveling carnival dancer who briefly becomes Moses's romantic interest, much to Addie's dismay. She represents a threat to the world Moses and Addie have built. While initially portrayed as a ditzy, promiscuous woman, her character has moments of pathos and vulnerability. She is a product of the same desperate times, using her sexuality to survive. Her arc is short and tragic; she is ultimately outsmarted by Addie and abandoned by Moses, left to her own devices in a harsh world.

Imogene is motivated by survival and a desire for a better situation. She endures Trixie's demanding and often demeaning behavior because she has few other options. Her willingness to help Addie stems from both her friendship with the girl and a clear-eyed understanding of Trixie's character. She is pragmatic and sees an opportunity to improve her own situation while helping her new friend.

Imogene is Trixie's young, long-suffering African-American maid. She forms a quick and genuine friendship with Addie, bonding over their shared maturity and subordinate roles. Imogene provides Addie with crucial information about Trixie's true nature and becomes her co-conspirator in the plan to get rid of her. Her arc is one of quiet resilience. After Trixie is abandoned, Addie leaves Imogene enough money to get home, a small act of solidarity and kindness. She represents the layered social and racial hardships of the era.