Appropriate Behavior (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

After a breakup, Shirin negotiates romantic loss, family expectations, and her wish to live independently.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

After the Relationship Ends

Shirin struggles to accept the breakup and tells a friend she wants her girlfriend back. She tries to feel better through food, dating, and role-play.

Key Events

• Struggling After the Breakup — After the breakup, Shirin struggles to accept that her relationship with Maxine is over. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Not specified
• Wants Her Girlfriend Back — Shirin tells a friend she wants her girlfriend back. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified
• Trying to Cheer Up — Shirin and a friend try to lift their spirits with food. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified
• Experimenting with Dating — Shirin explores dating after the breakup. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified
• Role-Play as an Auditor — Shirin takes part in a role-play involving a tax auditor and a small-business owner. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified

A Home and Family Under Pressure

Shirin adapts to an improvised Brooklyn living arrangement with Jacques and Felicia. Ali's marriage plans and her parents' criticism sharpen her desire for independence.

Key Events

• A Crowded Brooklyn Home — Shirin adjusts to a crowded, improvised home with new roommates Jacques and Felicia. Characters: Shirin, Jacques, Felicia Location: Brooklyn
• Felicia Feels Intimidating — Shirin finds Felicia intimidating in their shared living arrangement. Characters: Shirin, Felicia Location: Brooklyn home
• Ali Plans a Proposal — Shirin's brother Ali plans to propose to Layli. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified
• Concern About Rushing — Shirin worries Ali is rushing into marriage to please their parents. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified
• Parents Criticize Her Choices — Shirin's parents criticize her choices and her new home. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified
• Family Expectations Collide — Arguments expose competing family expectations and Shirin's wish to live independently. Characters: Shirin Location: Not specified

Closeness and Concealment

Shirin and Maxine grow close, and Shirin introduces her to her parents at a Noruz gathering. Maxine's departure and reluctance to come out deepen the strain between them.

Key Events

• Growing Close to Maxine — Shirin spends time with Maxine, and the two grow close. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Not specified
• Meeting at Noruz — Shirin introduces Maxine to her parents at a Noruz gathering. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Noruz gathering
• Maxine Leaves Early — Maxine makes an excuse to leave after meeting Shirin's parents. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Noruz gathering

The Birthday Breakup

At a birthday gathering, Shirin and Maxine clash over secrecy, family dependence, and coming out. Their argument ends the relationship, with Maxine leaving after a hurtful exchange.

Key Events

• Conflict Over Coming Out — Maxine says she will tell her parents in her own time; Shirin feels hurt by the secrecy. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Not specified
• Birthday Argument Escalates — At a birthday gathering, they argue about family dependence and keeping their relationship hidden. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Birthday gathering
• The Relationship Ends — Their fight becomes a breakup, and Maxine leaves. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Birthday gathering
• A Hurtful Final Remark — Maxine calls the relationship a waste and suggests Shirin's coming-out hopes may be a phase. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Birthday gathering

A Polite Final Encounter

Shirin meets Maxine again at a party after the breakup. Their brief, polite exchange suggests they have moved onto separate paths while remaining in the same social orbit.

Key Events

• Meeting at a Party — After the breakup, Shirin encounters Maxine at a party and they exchange polite introductions. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Party
• Separate Social Paths — Maxine points Shirin toward her own date, and their brief exchange shows they have gone separate ways. Characters: Shirin, Maxine Location: Party

Story Breakdown

• Breakup Aftermath — Shirin struggles to accept the end of her relationship and looks for ways to recover.
  • Wanting Maxine Back — Shirin tells a friend she wants her girlfriend back.
  • Seeking Distraction — Food, dating, and role-play form part of Shirin's attempts to cheer herself up.
• Brooklyn Living — Shirin navigates a crowded, improvised home with new roommates.
  • Roommates Arrive — Jacques and Felicia are among Shirin's new roommates.
  • Intimidated by Felicia — Shirin finds Felicia intimidating.
• Family Expectations — Shirin's family life exposes competing views about marriage, home, and independence.
  • Ali Plans to Propose — Ali plans to propose to Layli.
  • Parents Criticize Shirin — Her parents criticize her choices and her new home.
• Growing Close — Shirin and Maxine spend time together and grow close before the conflict over secrecy intensifies.
  • Time Together — The two grow closer as Shirin spends time with Maxine.
  • Noruz Introduction — Shirin introduces Maxine to her parents at a Noruz gathering.
• Coming Out Conflict — Maxine's concealed relationship with Shirin becomes a source of hurt and disagreement.
  • Maxine's Own Timing — Maxine says she is working toward telling her parents in her own time.
  • Shirin Feels Hurt — Shirin is frustrated by the secrecy surrounding their relationship.
• Birthday Breakup — A birthday argument brings the couple's disagreements to a decisive end.
  • Argument Escalates — They clash over family dependence and Maxine keeping the relationship hidden.
  • Maxine Leaves — The fight becomes a breakup, and Maxine leaves after calling the relationship a waste.
• Separate Paths — A later party encounter shows Shirin and Maxine interacting politely after their separation.
  • Brief Party Exchange — Maxine introduces a man who is with her and points Shirin toward her own date.
  • Social Orbit Remains — Their courteous interaction shows they have separated while still sharing a social setting.

Directed by

Desiree Akhavan

Key Cast

• Desiree Akhavan — Shirin
• Rebecca Henderson — Maxine
• Halley Feiffer — Crystal
• Ryan Fitzsimmons — Brendan
• Anh Duong — Nasrin