Infidelity (1987) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A marriage damaged by grief and betrayal survives through separation, self-discovery, and enduring love.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Leaving Africa Behind

Ellie and Nick begin as a happy family living in Africa with Melissa. They return to San Francisco so Nick can develop his photography career and Ellie can give birth.

Key Events

• African Family Life — Ellie, Nick, and Melissa live together in Africa with a satisfying family life. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato, Melissa Location: Africa
• Return To San Francisco — The family returns so Nick can pursue photography and Ellie can give birth. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato, Melissa Location: San Francisco
• Ellie's Career Frustration — Ellie becomes dissatisfied with her new surroundings and misses practicing medicine in Africa. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato Location: San Francisco
• Robin Arrives — Robin's arrival heightens Ellie's suspicion that Nick may be unfaithful. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato, Robin Location: San Francisco
• Nepal Business Trip — Scott convinces Nick to leave for a six-week business trip to Nepal. Characters: Nick Denato, Scott, Ellie Denato Location: Nepal

Grief And Distance

Ellie becomes dissatisfied with San Francisco and suspicious of Robin. Nick leaves for Nepal, and Ellie suffers a miscarriage while emotionally denying her loss.

Key Events

• Nepal Business Trip — Scott convinces Nick to leave for a six-week business trip to Nepal. Characters: Nick Denato, Scott, Ellie Denato Location: Nepal
• Miscarriage — Ellie suffers a miscarriage shortly after Nick leaves for Nepal. Characters: Ellie Denato Location: San Francisco
• Ellie Denies Her Loss — Ellie avoids dealing with the miscarriage and acts as though nothing happened. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato Location: San Francisco
• Marriage Drifts Apart — Ellie's emotional disconnection and resentment push the marriage toward collapse. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato Location: San Francisco

The Affair Exposed

Nick sleeps with Eileen while Ellie is struggling emotionally. Ellie finds Nick's watch in Eileen's bed and leaves San Francisco with Melissa for Africa.

Key Events

• Nick Turns To Eileen — Nick sleeps with Eileen, who has been caring for him during Ellie's absence. Characters: Nick Denato, Eileen Location: Eileen's bedroom
• Ellie Changes Course — Ellie recognizes that she mistreated Nick and realizes that she still loves him. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato Location: San Francisco
• The Watch Reveals Betrayal — Ellie finds Nick's watch in Eileen's bed and discovers the affair. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato, Eileen Location: Eileen's bedroom
• Ellie Leaves For Africa — Ellie takes Melissa and leaves for Africa despite Nick and Eileen's explanations. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato, Eileen, Melissa Location: San Francisco

Separate Lives

Ellie rebuilds her life and becomes involved with Etienne, while Nick remains devastated and ends his connection with Eileen. Their unexpected airport encounter forces them to confront their unresolved love.

Key Events

• Ellie Rebuilds Abroad — Ellie devotes herself to work and raises Melissa in Africa. Characters: Ellie Denato, Melissa Location: Africa
• Nick Remains Devastated — Six months later, Eileen is no longer part of Nick's life, and Nick remains devastated by Ellie's absence. Characters: Nick Denato, Eileen Location: San Francisco
• Ellie Meets Etienne — Ellie falls for Etienne and accompanies him to London. Characters: Ellie Denato, Melissa Location: Africa
• Airport Encounter — Ellie unexpectedly encounters Nick and Robin at the airport. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato, Robin Location: London airport
• Nick Confesses Regret — Nick tells Ellie that cheating on her was the biggest mistake of his life. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato Location: London airport

Choosing The Marriage

Ellie divorces Nick but cannot fully commit to Etienne. A family funeral renews her awareness of Nick's love, and after a final detour through Paris, Nick follows her back to Africa.

Key Events

• Divorce And Removed Ring — Ellie proceeds with the divorce and removes her wedding ring. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato Location: London
• Etienne Relationship Falters — Ellie cannot consummate her relationship with Etienne because of her unresolved past. Characters: Ellie Denato Location: London
• Robin Is Rejected — Nick rejects Robin's sexual advances and says that he is still in love with Ellie. Characters: Nick Denato, Robin Location: San Francisco
• Family Funeral — Ellie returns with Melissa for a funeral and confronts memories of her marriage to Nick. Characters: Nick Denato, Ellie Denato, Melissa Location: San Francisco
• Ellie Kisses Nick — The funeral and Nick's devotion move Ellie to kiss him, though she still refuses reconciliation. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato Location: San Francisco
• Paris Farewell — Ellie travels to Paris, spends one night with Etienne, and then leaves him. Characters: Ellie Denato Location: Paris
• Return To Africa — Ellie packs her belongings and returns to Africa after leaving Paris. Characters: Ellie Denato, Melissa Location: Africa
• Nick Follows Ellie — Nick follows Ellie to Africa, and the couple reunites there. Characters: Ellie Denato, Nick Denato, Melissa Location: Africa

Story Breakdown

• African Family Foundation — Ellie, Nick, and Melissa begin with a fulfilling family life in Africa before changing their circumstances.
  • Wildlife Home — The family lives together in Africa and appears happy.
  • Return To America — They move back to San Francisco for career and childbirth reasons.
• Urban Dissatisfaction — San Francisco gives Nick career opportunities but leaves Ellie disconnected from her former medical life.
  • Ellie's Lost Calling — Ellie misses working as a doctor in Africa.
  • Robin's Arrival — Robin's presence intensifies Ellie's fear that Nick may be unfaithful.
• Grief And Absence — Nick's Nepal trip and Ellie's miscarriage deepen the couple's emotional distance.
  • Nepal Departure — Scott persuades Nick to accept a six-week business trip.
  • Miscarriage Denial — Ellie suffers a miscarriage and refuses to process the loss.
• Betrayal Revealed — Nick's affair with Eileen converts marital tension into an irreversible crisis.
  • Eileen's Care — Eileen supports Nick while Ellie is emotionally distant.
  • Watch In Bed — Ellie discovers the affair through Nick's watch in Eileen's bed.
• Separate Rebuilds — Ellie and Nick attempt to live independently while remaining emotionally tied to each other.
  • Ellie In Africa — Ellie works and raises Melissa after leaving San Francisco.
  • Nick's Regret — Nick remains devastated and later rejects Robin because he loves Ellie.
• Failed New Beginnings — Ellie's relationship with Etienne cannot overcome the emotional weight of her marriage to Nick.
  • London Encounter — Ellie unexpectedly meets Nick and Robin at an airport.
  • Paris Detour — Ellie spends one night with Etienne before returning to Africa.
• Reconciliation In Africa — Family memories and Nick's persistence lead the couple back toward one another.
  • Funeral Realization — A funeral and shared memories remind Ellie of Nick's continuing love.
  • Final Reunion — Nick follows Ellie to Africa, where they reunite.

Directed by

David Lowell Rich

Key Cast

• Kirstie Alley — Ellie Denato
• Lee Horsley — Nick Denato
• Robert Englund — Scott
• Laurie O'Brien — Eileen
• Courtney Thorne-Smith — Robin