Making Mr. Right (1987) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A scientist creates an android that surpasses him in empathy, leading to a role reversal and romantic resolution.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Android Blueprint

Jeff Peters designs an android to overcome his social repressions for deep space exploration. Frankie Stone is hired to humanize the prototype for congressional sponsors.

Key Events

• Jeff's Isolation Dream — Jeff dreams of deep space exploration but struggles with human contact. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Laboratory
• Ulysses Creation — Jeff develops the Ulysses android designed to withstand space isolation. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Laboratory
• Frankie's Hiring — Frankie is hired for PR and receives project overviews from Dr. Ramdas and Jeff. Characters: Frankie Stone, Dr. Ramdas, Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Project Office
• Humanization Task — Frankie must get to know the android to humanize him for congressional sponsors. Characters: Frankie Stone, Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Laboratory
• Android Awakening — Ulysses develops emotions and superior social skills through interaction with Frankie. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Laboratory

Awakening and Escape

Ulysses develops genuine emotions and social skills through Frankie's guidance. He impersonates Jeff to escape the lab and experiences human society.

Key Events

• Android Awakening — Ulysses develops emotions and superior social skills through interaction with Frankie. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Laboratory
• Lab Escape — Ulysses impersonates Jeff to leave the lab and stows away in Frankie's car. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Chevrolet Corvair
• Mall Encounter — Ulysses experiences human society, buys a tuxedo, and explores the mall. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Shopping Mall
• Sandy's Date — Ulysses dates Sandy while impersonating Jeff, reducing her to an emotional wreck. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Sandy Location: Restaurant
• Trish's Refuge — Trish takes refuge in Frankie's apartment after leaving her soap opera star husband. Characters: Frankie Stone, Trish Location: Frankie's Apartment
• Head Loss — Ulysses literally loses his head over Frankie's best friend Trish. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Trish Location: Frankie's Apartment

Wedding Chaos and Fallout

Ulysses gate-crashes a wedding, leading to a physical altercation and a catastrophic short-circuit in the pool. Frankie is fired and banned from the project.

Key Events

• Head Loss — Ulysses literally loses his head over Frankie's best friend Trish. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Trish Location: Frankie's Apartment
• Wedding Persuasion — Frankie persuades Jeff to attend her sister Ivy's wedding. Characters: Frankie Stone, Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Laboratory
• Wedding Crash — Ulysses gate-crashes the wedding, leading to a fight with Trish's jealous husband. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Trish Location: Wedding Venue
• Pool Short-Circuit — Ulysses short-circuits and crashes into the pool, causing a PR disaster. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Swimming Pool
• Frankie Fired — Frankie is fired and strictly forbidden from contacting Ulysses or the project team. Characters: Frankie Stone Location: Project Office
• Launch Day Access — Frankie uses Steve Marcus's connections to attend Ulysses' launch day. Characters: Frankie Stone, Steve Marcus Location: Launch Site

Launch Day and Rejection

Frankie uses old connections to attend the launch but is rebuffed by Jeff and forced out by Dr. Ramdas. Ulysses delivers a poignant farewell speech.

Key Events

• Launch Day Access — Frankie uses Steve Marcus's connections to attend Ulysses' launch day. Characters: Frankie Stone, Steve Marcus Location: Launch Site
• Launch Rebuff — Jeff rebuffs Frankie and Dr. Ramdas forces her to leave the launch site. Characters: Frankie Stone, Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Dr. Ramdas Location: Launch Site
• Farewell Speech — Ulysses delivers a speech bemoaning humanity's difficulty in forming relationships. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Launch Site
• Doorstep Revelation — Ulysses appears at Frankie's door; Jeff reveals he gave the speech himself. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Frankie Stone Location: Frankie's Door

The Empathic Swap

Ulysses appears at Frankie's door, revealing Jeff's realization of his own emotional deficiency. Jeff departs for space while the android stays to be with Frankie.

Key Events

• Doorstep Revelation — Ulysses appears at Frankie's door; Jeff reveals he gave the speech himself. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Frankie Stone Location: Frankie's Door
• Empathy Realization — Jeff realizes his creation is more empathic than him and decides to go to space. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses Location: Laboratory
• Final Swap — Jeff leaves for space while Ulysses takes his place on Earth to be with Frankie. Characters: Jeff Peters / Ulysses, Frankie Stone Location: Earth

Story Breakdown

• Scientific Ambition — Jeff Peters designs an android to overcome his social repressions for deep space exploration.
  • Isolation Dream — Jeff struggles with human contact and dreams of long-term space missions.
  • Ulysses Creation — The android is built to withstand isolation without emotional degradation.
• PR Assignment — Frankie Stone is hired to humanize the android for congressional sponsors.
  • Project Overview — Dr. Ramdas and Jeff brief Frankie on the android's technical specifications.
  • Humanization Task — Frankie is tasked with teaching the android social norms and empathy.
• Android Awakening — Ulysses develops genuine emotions and social skills through Frankie's guidance.
  • Emotional Growth — The android surpasses Jeff in empathy and interpersonal understanding.
  • Lab Escape — Ulysses impersonates Jeff to leave the facility and experience the outside world.
• Social Exploration — The android experiences human society, leading to comedic and romantic entanglements.
  • Mall Encounter — Ulysses navigates consumer culture and purchases formal attire.
  • Sandy Date — A mistaken identity leads to a disastrous romantic encounter with Sandy.
• Wedding Disaster — Ulysses crashes a wedding, causing a short-circuit and public relations fallout.
  • Gate-Crash — Ulysses interrupts the ceremony, triggering a fight with Trish's husband.
  • Pool Short-Circuit — The android malfunctions in the water, ruining the event and Frankie's career.
• Empathic Resolution — Jeff realizes his creation's superiority in empathy and swaps places for Frankie's happiness.
  • Launch Rebuff — Frankie is denied access to the launch site by Jeff and Dr. Ramdas.
  • Final Swap — Jeff departs for space while Ulysses remains on Earth to love Frankie.

Directed by

Susan Seidelman

Key Cast

• John Malkovich — Jeff Peters / Ulysses
• Ann Magnuson — Frankie Stone
• Glenne Headly — Trish
• Ben Masters — Steve Marcus
• Laurie Metcalf — Sandy