That Old Feeling (1997) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A wedding reunites estranged former spouses and entangles their renewed feelings with their daughter's fragile marriage.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Wedding Under Strain

Molly worries that bringing her estranged parents together will disrupt her wedding. Lilly and Dan reunite, argue, and unexpectedly reconnect.

Key Events

• Wedding Invitation Worries — Molly worries that inviting her estranged parents will turn her wedding into a disaster. Characters: Molly De Mora, Keith Marks, Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Wedding preparations
• Fourteen-Year Estrangement — Lilly and Dan have not spoken for fourteen years. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Not specified
• Parents Reunite at Wedding — The wedding brings Lilly and Dan together after their long separation. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora, Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Wedding
• Wedding Fight — Lilly and Dan's old arguments become a physical fight in front of the guests. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora, Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Wedding
• Guests Urge Them to Dance — Guests urge the former spouses to dance, and they are drawn back into each other's company. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Wedding

Old Attraction Returns

Lilly and Dan revisit the grievances behind their separation, but their attraction resurfaces. Their renewed closeness complicates Molly's wedding and family life.

Key Events

• Guests Urge Them to Dance — Guests urge the former spouses to dance, and they are drawn back into each other's company. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Wedding
• Old Grievances Resurface — They trade accusations about their breakup and how they moved on. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Not specified
• Attraction Returns — Their attraction resurfaces and they behave like lovers again. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Not specified
• Molly Faces Wedding Chaos — Molly struggles with the turmoil surrounding her new marriage. Characters: Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Wedding and honeymoon

Molly's Uneasy Honeymoon

Molly struggles with the chaos around her marriage and becomes separated from Keith. Joey helps her, and their intimate moment makes her reconsider what she wants.

Key Events

• Molly Faces Wedding Chaos — Molly struggles with the turmoil surrounding her new marriage. Characters: Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Wedding and honeymoon
• Molly Separated from Keith — Molly becomes separated from Keith and fears he will judge her family as unstable. Characters: Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Honeymoon
• Joey Helps Molly — Joey helps Molly escape a frustrating situation, and they share an intimate connection. Characters: Molly De Mora, Joey Donna Location: Not specified
• Molly Rejects a New Romance — Molly recognizes she is married and that she and Joey are temperamentally mismatched. Characters: Molly De Mora, Joey Donna Location: Not specified

Choices and Consequences

Lilly and Dan debate whether to run away together or accept the consequences of their choices. Molly gives them her Hawaii honeymoon, while Keith's betrayal undermines her marriage.

Key Events

• Molly Rejects a New Romance — Molly recognizes she is married and that she and Joey are temperamentally mismatched. Characters: Molly De Mora, Joey Donna Location: Not specified
• Parents Consider Running Away — Lilly and Dan debate running away together or acknowledging the consequences. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Not specified
• Honeymoon Given to Parents — Molly gives Lilly and Dan her Hawaii honeymoon, granting them another chance. Characters: Molly De Mora, Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Hawaii
• Keith's Betrayal Revealed — Molly learns Keith betrayed her, and his position collapses. Characters: Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Not specified

An Unsettled Ending

Molly leaves Keith after discovering his betrayal. Lilly and Dan continue revisiting their old disputes, and the account leaves their final decision unresolved.

Key Events

• Keith's Betrayal Revealed — Molly learns Keith betrayed her, and his position collapses. Characters: Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Not specified
• Molly Leaves Keith — Molly leaves Keith after learning of his betrayal. Characters: Molly De Mora, Keith Marks Location: Not specified
• Old Disputes Remain — The account ends with Lilly and Dan revisiting old grievances, leaving their decision unresolved. Characters: Lilly Leonard, Dan De Mora Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Wedding Fears — Molly anticipates trouble when her estranged parents are invited to her wedding.
  • Parents Invited — Molly's wedding brings Lilly and Dan together after fourteen years apart.
  • Public Anxiety — Molly fears her parents' hostility will erupt in front of the guests.
• A Disruptive Reunion — The former spouses' reunion begins with conflict but draws them back into each other's company.
  • Wedding Fight — Their old arguments become a physical fight at the wedding.
  • Dance Together — Guests urge them to dance, and they reconnect.
• Old Love Resurfaces — Lilly and Dan confront their past while discovering that their attraction remains.
  • Past Accusations — They argue about their breakup and how each moved on.
  • Renewed Attraction — They begin behaving like lovers again despite the consequences.
• Molly's Marital Turmoil — Molly struggles to manage her new marriage amid her parents' upheaval.
  • Honeymoon Separation — Molly becomes separated from Keith and fears his judgment.
  • Keith's Betrayal — Molly learns of Keith's betrayal and leaves him.
• Joey and Molly — Joey helps Molly during a frustrating situation, and their connection becomes intimate.
  • Unexpected Help — Joey helps Molly escape a difficult situation.
  • Romance Reconsidered — Molly initially refuses to pursue Joey while she is married, then later runs away with him after leaving Keith.
• Parents Choose Again — Lilly and Dan consider the consequences of renewing their relationship as Molly gives them a chance.
  • Running Away Debated — They discuss whether to run away together or acknowledge the consequences.
  • Honeymoon Given — Molly gives Lilly and Dan her Hawaii honeymoon.
• Unresolved Grievances — The account closes without settling Lilly and Dan's decision.
  • Old Disputes Revisited — Lilly and Dan return to arguments from their past.
  • Decision Left Open — Their lasting choice and its effect on Molly's marriage remain unresolved in the account.

Directed by

Carl Reiner

Key Cast

• Bette Midler — Lilly Leonard
• Dennis Farina — Dan De Mora
• Paula Marshall — Molly De Mora
• Gail O'Grady — Rowena
• David Rasche — Alan