Creator (1985) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A grieving professor's cloning ambition gives way to changing relationships, ethical doubts, and a new beginning.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Grieving Professor's Experiment

Harry remains devoted to the idea of cloning his deceased wife, Lucy. He hires Boris to assist with the experiments and gives him advice about courting Barbara.

Key Events

• Harry Pursues Lucy's Clone — Harry's grief over Lucy motivates his effort to clone his late wife. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Lucy Wolper Location: Small Southern California college
• Boris Becomes Harry's Assistant — Harry hires Boris to help obtain equipment and assist with experiments. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Boris Lafkin Location: Harry's workplace
• Experiments in the Shed — Boris helps Harry conduct cloning experiments in the shed. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Boris Lafkin Location: Harry's backyard shed
• Harry Advises Boris on Barbara — Harry gives Boris advice on courting Barbara, who gradually becomes smitten with him. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Boris Lafkin, Barbara Spencer Location: Harry's workplace

Meli Enters Harry's Life

Meli joins Harry's research under an arrangement involving an ovary sample and moves into his home. Her growing feelings lead Harry to reconsider the ethics of his project and his understanding of love.

Key Events

• Meli Joins the Research — Meli agrees to provide an ovary sample and moves in as part of Harry's research arrangement. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Meli Location: Harry's home
• Meli Falls for Harry — Meli develops romantic feelings for Harry as she lives with him. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Meli Location: Harry's home
• Harry Questions His Purpose — Meli's feelings prompt Harry to question his ethics and his idea of true love. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Meli, Lucy Wolper Location: Harry's home

The Northfield Reassignment

A rival's effort to take over Harry's laboratory results in Harry being reassigned to Northfield. Harry's research grant follows him, frustrating the plan to sideline his work.

Key Events

• Rival Seeks Harry's Lab — A rival professor works to have Harry reassigned so he can take over Harry's lab. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper Location: Small Southern California college
• Harry Is Sent to Northfield — Harry is reassigned to a remote branch where little research is conducted. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper Location: Northfield
• Research Grant Follows Harry — Harry earns a substantial grant, and its funds follow him to Northfield. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper Location: Northfield

Boris Fights for Barbara

Barbara suffers an aneurysm and falls into a coma. Boris protests the recommendation to end life support, and Harry secures time for Boris to speak with her before she wakes.

Key Events

• Barbara Suffers an Aneurysm — Barbara suffers an aneurysm and is hospitalized; Boris remains devoted to her. Characters: Barbara Spencer, Boris Lafkin Location: Hospital
• Life Support Decision — Barbara's parents are advised to turn off life support, and Boris protests. Characters: Barbara Spencer, Boris Lafkin Location: Hospital
• Boris Speaks to Barbara — Harry gains time for Boris to talk to Barbara while she is in a coma. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Boris Lafkin, Barbara Spencer Location: Hospital
• Barbara Wakes from Coma — Barbara eventually wakes from her coma after Boris has spoken to her. Characters: Barbara Spencer, Boris Lafkin Location: Hospital

A New Life at Northfield

Harry releases Lucy's cells into the sea and marries Meli. The story ends with everyone choosing to follow him to Northfield.

Key Events

• Harry Releases Lucy's Cells — Harry abandons the cloning effort and pours Lucy's cells into the sea. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Lucy Wolper Location: Sea
• Harry Marries Meli — Harry and Meli marry after he abandons his effort to clone Lucy. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Meli Location: Not specified
• Everyone Follows Harry — Everyone chooses to follow Harry to Northfield. Characters: Dr. Harry Wolper, Meli, Boris Lafkin Location: Northfield

Story Breakdown

• Harry's Cloning Quest — Harry's grief for his deceased wife drives his attempt to recreate her.
  • Lost Wife — Lucy died in childbirth decades earlier, leaving Harry devoted to her memory.
  • Backyard Experiments — Harry conducts cloning research with Boris's assistance.
• Boris Joins Harry — Boris becomes Harry's assistant and receives help with his pursuit of Barbara.
  • Assistant's Duties — Boris obtains equipment and helps with Harry's experiments.
  • Courtship Advice — Harry advises Boris as he courts Barbara.
• Meli's Arrival — Meli becomes involved in Harry's research and begins living with him.
  • Ovary Sample — Meli agrees to contribute a sample as part of the cloning research.
  • Growing Affection — Meli falls for Harry, prompting him to reconsider love and his project.
• Academic Rivalry — A rival seeks to remove Harry from his position and take over his laboratory.
  • Northfield Transfer — Harry is reassigned to a remote university branch.
  • Grant Follows Harry — Harry's research money follows him to Northfield, undermining the attempted sidelining.
• Barbara's Medical Crisis — Barbara's aneurysm puts her life and relationship with Boris in jeopardy.
  • Coma and Life Support — Barbara is hospitalized, and Boris protests the advice to turn off life support.
  • Boris Reaches Barbara — Harry gains Boris time to speak to Barbara, who eventually wakes.
• Harry Chooses Love — Harry lets go of his attempt to recreate Lucy and commits to a future with Meli.
  • Cells Returned to Sea — Harry pours Lucy's cells into the sea, ending the cloning effort.
  • Marriage and Relocation — Harry marries Meli, and everyone chooses to follow him to Northfield.

Directed by

Ivan Passer

Key Cast

• Peter O'Toole — Dr. Harry Wolper
• Mariel Hemingway — Meli
• Vincent Spano — Boris Lafkin
• Virginia Madsen — Barbara Spencer
• David Ogden Stiers — Dr. Sid Kullenbeck