The 1998 romantic comedy You’ve Got Mail is a snapshot of New York City that features dial-up Internet, cozy indie bookstores, and characters who wear turtlenecks and say that they love school supplies and the fall season. For many people, this movie, written and directed by Nora Ephron, will always be a classic. It can be watched at any time of year but is particularly nostalgic in the months from September to December.
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks star as characters Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox who loathe each other IRL but are actually falling for one another as they chat online and get to know each other. The problem, of course, is that his big bookstores are going to ruin her tiny children’s bookshop. Here are the Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of the characters of You’ve Got Mail.
Patricia Eden: ESFP
Parker Posey’s You’ve Got Mail character is Patricia Eden. For most of the film, she and Joe are engaged, although they’re poorly matched. She’s a light-hearted person who meets Kathleen’s boyfriend Frank at a party and is completely enthralled and starstruck since she loves reading his column.
Patricia’s MBTI would be ESFP or “Enthusiastic Improviser.” She’s “friendly and expressive” and while she has some negative traits (she’s pretty selfish and only seems to think about herself) she can be bubbly and fun, too. Her best moment is when she and Joe are in an elevator that stops and everyone is freaked out, wondering how they can change their lives after. She yells, “Where are my Tic-Tacs? Ugh!” and when Joe glances at her, she says, “What?”
Miranda Margulies: ISFJ
Miranda Margulies (Veanne Cox)’s MBTI would be ISFJ or “Practical Helper.” She writes children’s books and at first, seems like a really kind person. Miranda has many of the traits of ISFJs, such as being “responsible, loyal, and traditional” and “devoted” and “considerate.” She seems like she really cares about Kathleen and her store and what’s happening.
She’s always done readings and signings at Kathleen’s bookstore, but Kathleen is majorly betrayed when Miranda decides to do an event at Joe Fox’s store. It’s a sad moment, that’s for sure.
Nelson Fox: ISTJ
Nelson Fox (Dabney Coleman) is Joe’s dad. He’s a traditional business-oriented guy who doesn’t show his feelings and doesn’t think about many people other than himself. In one hilarious scene, he says, “Keep those West-Side liberal nuts, psudo-intellectuals…” and his son says, “Readers, Dad. They’re called readers.” Nelson responds, “Don’t do that, son. Don’t romanticize them.”
Since he sees things in a very straightforward way, his MBTI would be ISTJ or “Responsible Realist.” He sounds like the description: “They typically enjoy working within clearly defined systems and processes in a traditional, task-oriented, decisive way.” He’s “duty bound” and “reserved” and comfortable talking about money (and making money, of course).
Christina Plutzker: ISFP
Heather Burns played Christina Plutzker, one of Kathleen’s friends and coworkers at The Shop Around The Corner. She’s hilarious and sweet and brings a great comic element to every scene. She talks to Kathleen about her online chats with Joe and asks her if she’s had cybersex. Kathleen says no and Christina says, “Well, you know what? Don’t do it, ‘cause the minute you do, they lose all respect for you.”
Her MBTI would be ISFP or “Versatile Supporter.” She’s “caring” and “sensitive” and “attuned to others.” She’s a great employee and both Kathleen and the store mean a lot to her.
George Pappas: INFP
Steve Zahn’s You’ve Got Mail character George Pappas is funny, kind, gentle, and a bit of an outcast, but he does his own thing and is okay with it. One of his best lines: “Well, as far as I’m concerned, the Internet is just another way of being rejected by women.”
George’s MBTI would be INFP or “Thoughtful Idealist.” He cares deeply about children’s books and when Joe comes into the store with his family and acts like the books are so expensive, he stands up for the authors. George says of one book, “The, uh, illustrations are hand tipped.” When Joe asks, “And that’s why it costs so much?” George says, “No, that’s why it’s WORTH so much.” He’s “virtuous” and “passionate” and “idealistic.”
Frank Navasky: INFJ
Greg Kinnear’s You’ve Got Mail character Frank is Kathleen’s totally conceited writer boyfriend. The author Miranda puts it best: she calls him “that nut from the Observer” and says “The one who’s so in love with his typewriter.”
Frank is an INFJ or “Insightful Visionary.” Even though he’s so full of himself, people do love him and his intelligent writing, and he’s “deep” and “sensitive” and someone who will “work with integrity.” He writes his column about the things that matter to him.
Birdie Conrad: ENFP
Birdie Conrad (Jean Stapleton) works at The Shop Around The Corner and she’s a wise “voice of reason” type of character. She seems quiet but then randomly says something hilarious, like this line: “I tried to have cybersex once, but I kept getting a busy signal.”
Birdie is an ENFP or “Imaginative Motivator.” These types “develop multiple solutions to a problem.” Birdie is there for Kathleen and is “expressive” and “caring” and “warm.” Birdie is so kind that she wants to lend Kathleen some cash to save the store.
Kevin Jackson: ENTJ
Dave Chappelle played Kevin Jackson, Joe’s good friend. He’s one of the funniest characters in the film and is very honest.
Kevin would be an ENTJ or “Decisive Strategist.” He thinks about situations in a logical and intelligent way. One of his best quotes: “I always take a relationship to the next level. If that works out, I take it to the next level after that, until I finally reach that level when it becomes absolutely necessary for me to leave.” He’s “logical” (like when he gives Joe advice) and he’s also “fair” and “straightforward.”
Joe Fox: ENFJ
Joe Fox is an ENFJ or “Compassionate Facilitator.” These personality types are great with teamwork and leadership, and that describes him. He is so charming that he inspires everyone around him to think that Fox Books is the best idea ever,
He’s “people-oriented” and truly could strike up a conversation with anyone. He’s also “verbal” (like when he goes on about the long orders that people have at Starbucks) and someone who will “inspire change.” He manages to be both likable and unlikeable since fans of the movie know what his business is doing to Kathleen’s.
Kathleen Kelly: ESTJ
Kathleen Kelly is an ESTJ or “Efficient Organizer.” She’s sweet, just as charming as Joe, and tries to be a good person who honors her mother’s memory.
ESTJs like “order and structure” and that’s definitely Kathleen. It even bothers her when people at the garnish at a party or gathering (like Joe does). She’s “self-confident” and “responsible” and “dependable.” She loves her life and often says that it might be “small” but that’s okay with her. Nothing would make her happier than being able to run the children’s bookstore forever, so it’s particularly tough for her when it goes under.
