The R.M. (2003) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A returned missionary faces disrupted expectations, personal setbacks, and a moral choice before finding renewed direction and love.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Return to a Changed Home

After two years in Wyoming, he returns to find no one waiting at the airport and his former home occupied by new people. The changes at home and in his family unsettle his expectations.

Key Events

• Mission Send-Off — Family and friends gather at the airport to send Elder Phelps on his mission. Location: Airport
• Two Years in Wyoming — Photographs show his progression from new missionary to assistant to the mission president. Location: Wyoming Evanston South Mission
• Unexpected Return — He returns home expecting a different schedule, but no one is there to meet him. Location: Airport
• The House Has Changed — A new homeowner surprises him with a karate kick while he is in the shower. Characters: Naked Ninja Location: Former family home
• A Different Bedroom — He discovers that a foreign exchange student from Tonga occupies his former bed. Location: Former family home
• Family Reunion — He reunites with his parents and learns that his mother is pregnant. Characters: Emma Phelps, Brigham Phelps Location: Family home

Lost Plans and New Setbacks

His former girlfriend is about to marry, his ring cannot be returned, and the promised job is gone. Rejection from BYU and a string of uncertain jobs add to his difficulties.

Key Events

• The Wedding News — He learns that the girlfriend who promised to wait for him is marrying someone else soon. Location: Home
• The Ring Cannot Be Returned — The jewelry store refuses to take back the ring he bought for his former girlfriend. Location: Jewelry store
• The Promised Job Disappears — His former employer has sold the business and offers only work mining diamonds in South Africa. Location: Former workplace
• BYU Rejection — He is rejected by Brigham Young University. Location: BYU
• A String of Jobs — He moves through several jobs and considers selling knives. Location: Various workplaces

Romance Amid Family Change

He begins a relationship with Kelly while his family grows through his mother's pregnancy and the birth of a son. Personal hardships continue as he develops boils and becomes entangled in legal trouble.

Key Events

• Meeting Kelly — He develops a romantic relationship with Kelly Powers. Characters: Kelly Powers Location: Unspecified
• A Date Interrupted — While he is on a date with Kelly, his mother goes into labor. Characters: Kelly Powers, Emma Phelps Location: Date location
• A New Baby — His mother gives birth to a son. Characters: Emma Phelps, Brigham Phelps Location: Unspecified
• Boils and Legal Trouble — He develops boils and is arrested because of a friend's actions. Location: Unspecified

The Choice to Tell the Truth

After losing his job and church calling, he must choose whether to lie or tell the truth about the situation involving his friend. He tells the truth, is cleared of charges, and his friend faces jail time.

Key Events

• Consequences at Work and Church — Following the arrest, he loses his job and is released from his church calling. Location: Workplace and church
• The Truth Dilemma — He weighs lying to protect himself and his friend against telling the truth and risking jail. Location: Unspecified
• Choosing Honesty — He decides to tell the truth; he is cleared, while his friend faces jail time. Location: Unspecified

Renewed Direction and Engagement

He reflects publicly on the unexpected blessings of his mission and plans to take night classes before reapplying to BYU. His relationship with Kelly culminates in their engagement and a visit to exchange his old ring.

Key Events

• A Mission Reflection — He gives a church talk about unexpected ways his mission blessed his life. Location: Church
• Plans for the Future — He decides to take night classes and reapply to BYU in the fall. Location: Unspecified
• A New Ring — Now engaged to Kelly, he visits a jewelry store with her to exchange his old ring. Characters: Kelly Powers Location: Jewelry store

Story Breakdown

• Mission and Return — His mission ends and he comes home expecting to resume his former life.
  • Airport Send-Off — Family and friends gather as he leaves for his mission.
  • Mission Progress — Photographs trace his service and advancement in Wyoming.
• Changed Homecoming — The homecoming reveals that his former surroundings and family circumstances have changed.
  • Empty Airport — No one meets him because his family expected him home later.
  • New Homeowner — A new homeowner surprises him while he is in the shower.
• Lost Expectations — Plans for romance and employment collapse soon after his return.
  • Former Girlfriend — He learns that the girlfriend who promised to wait is about to marry.
  • Unavailable Work — His former employer has sold the business and offers no expected job.
• Education and Employment — Rejection and uncertain work leave him searching for a stable path.
  • BYU Rejection — His application to Brigham Young University is rejected.
  • Job Changes — He goes through several jobs and considers selling knives.
• Romance and Family — A new relationship grows alongside changes in his family.
  • Dating Kelly — He develops a romantic relationship with Kelly Powers.
  • New Baby — His mother goes into labor and gives birth to a son.
• Legal and Personal Crisis — Health problems and arrest deepen the consequences of his difficult return.
  • Arrest and Boils — He develops boils and is arrested because of a friend's actions.
  • Lost Positions — He loses his job and is released from his church calling.
• Moral Decision — He faces a choice between protecting himself and his friend with a lie or telling the truth.
  • Truth or Lie — He considers the possible jail consequences of either choice.
  • Cleared of Charges — He tells the truth and is cleared, while his friend faces jail time.
• Renewed Future — Reflection and new commitments bring the story to a hopeful close.
  • Mission Talk — He speaks at church about unexpected blessings from his mission.
  • Engagement — He plans to reapply to BYU and becomes engaged to Kelly.

Directed by

Kurt Hale

Key Cast

• Erica Hansen — Airport Singer
• Jenny Ord — Airport Singer
• Jed T. Robinson — Elder Sniffler
• Tracy Ann Evans — Emma Phelps
• Kirby Heyborne — The R.M.