Any Day Now (2012) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A musician's attempt to protect an abandoned child is defeated by prejudice, institutional decisions, and an unsafe reunification.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

An Unexpected Responsibility

Rudy discovers a vulnerable child abandoned in his apartment building. His attempt to obtain advice fails, and family services places the child in foster care.

Key Events

• Rudy Performs at Fabios — Rudy performs as a musician and drag artist in a West Hollywood nightclub. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Fabios nightclub
• The Child Is Left Alone — Rudy discovers that a vulnerable thirteen-year-old child has been left alone. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Rudy's apartment building
• Rudy Seeks Advice — Rudy brings the child to a workplace seeking advice about his care. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: District attorney's office
• Family Services Intervenes — A family services officer removes the child and places him in foster care. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Rudy's apartment
• The Child Escapes — Unable to settle in foster care, the child escapes during the night. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Foster home and streets

A Fragile New Home

After the child escapes foster care, Rudy provides shelter and pursues temporary guardianship. The court approves the arrangement despite doubts about the guardians' explanation.

Key Events

• The Child Escapes — Unable to settle in foster care, the child escapes during the night. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Foster home and streets
• A Temporary Shelter — Rudy finds the wandering child, and they decide to house him for the night. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: West Hollywood streets
• Custody Is Requested — Fearful of another removal, Rudy seeks legal help to gain custody. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Rudy's apartment
• Guardianship Papers Signed — The child's mother signs temporary guardianship papers after Rudy promises proper care. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Prison visitation area
• Temporary Custody Granted — Judge Meyerson awards temporary custody despite suspicion about the guardians' explanation. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Judge Meyerson Location: Family court

The Family They Build

The child flourishes in Rudy's household through improved care, education, and family celebrations. Their happiness grows while the adults continue concealing their relationship.

Key Events

• Temporary Custody Granted — Judge Meyerson awards temporary custody despite suspicion about the guardians' explanation. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Judge Meyerson Location: Family court
• A New Home Forms — The child moves in and becomes delighted with his new home. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Shared home
• The Child Improves — Over a year, Rudy helps improve the child's health, education, and social skills. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Shared home and school
• Family Celebrations — The household celebrates Halloween, Christmas, and the child's fourteenth birthday. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Shared home
• The Promotion Party — A workplace promotion leads to a party where Rudy becomes angry about their concealed relationship. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: District attorney's home

Custody Under Siege

Suspicion about the guardians' relationship exposes inaccuracies in the custody forms. Family services removes the child, and the court subjects the household to hostile accusations.

Key Events

• The Promotion Party — A workplace promotion leads to a party where Rudy becomes angry about their concealed relationship. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: District attorney's home
• Custody Is Challenged — The court learns that the custody forms concealed the guardians' relationship. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Judge Meyerson Location: Family court
• The Child Is Removed — Family services removes the child, and Rudy is arrested while trying to stop them. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Rudy's home
• The Court Hearing — The court hears allegations against same-sex adoption and testimony that the child was treated well. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Judge Meyerson, Miss Mills Location: Family court
• Custody Is Denied — Judge Meyerson denies returning the child despite a positive home evaluation. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Judge Meyerson Location: Family court

The Road Away From Home

Lonnie Washington challenges the custody decision, but the case collapses when the child's mother seeks reunification. The child is returned to an unsafe environment and later dies after wandering.

Key Events

• Custody Is Denied — Judge Meyerson denies returning the child despite a positive home evaluation. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Judge Meyerson Location: Family court
• Lonnie Appeals The Ruling — Lonnie Washington argues that the custody decision was unlawful and not in the child's best interests. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Lonnie Washington Location: Law office
• The Appeal Collapses — The case is dismissed after the child's mother appears and seeks reunification. Characters: Rudy Donatello, Lonnie Washington Location: Family court
• A Lost Child Dies — Rudy learns the child died after wandering for three days and performs a song in tribute. Characters: Rudy Donatello Location: Bridge and Fabios nightclub

Story Breakdown

• Nightclub Encounter — Rudy's life as a performer frames the unexpected responsibility that follows.
  • Fabios Performance — Rudy performs as a musician and drag artist at a West Hollywood nightclub.
  • Abandoned Child — Rudy discovers that a vulnerable child has been left alone.
• Failed First Intervention — Rudy seeks institutional advice but cannot prevent the child's first removal.
  • Workplace Appeal — Rudy brings the child to a workplace for advice about his care.
  • Foster Escape — The child escapes after struggling to settle in foster care.
• Temporary Guardianship — Rudy pursues a legal arrangement after giving the child shelter.
  • Signed Papers — The child's mother signs temporary guardianship papers.
  • Court Approval — Judge Meyerson grants temporary custody despite doubts about the application.
• Family Life Flourishes — The child improves physically, socially, and intellectually within the new household.
  • Health And School — Rudy helps improve the child's diet, health, and special education.
  • Shared Celebrations — The household celebrates holidays and the child's fourteenth birthday.
• Institutional Backlash — Suspicion about the guardians' relationship triggers professional and legal consequences.
  • Custody Forms Challenged — The court learns that the guardians concealed the nature of their relationship.
  • Family Services Removal — The child is removed, and Rudy is arrested while resisting.
• The Appeal Fails — Legal efforts to restore custody are overwhelmed by reunification proceedings.
  • Lonnie Builds Case — Lonnie Washington argues that the custody ruling was unlawful and harmful.
  • Custody Denied — Judge Meyerson refuses to return the child despite a positive home evaluation.
• Tragic Return — The child is returned to an unsafe environment and ultimately dies while searching for home.
  • Unsafe Reunification — The child is ignored and mistreated after being returned to his mother's apartment.
  • Final Musical Tribute — Rudy performs a song in mourning after learning of the child's death.

Directed by

Travis Fine

Key Cast

• Alan Cumming — Rudy Donatello
• Garret Dillahunt — Paul Fliger
• Isaac Leyva — Marco Deison
• Frances Fisher — Judge Meyerson
• Gregg Henry — Lambert