Good on Paper (2021) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A comedian discovers that a seemingly impressive romantic partner has built their relationship on an elaborate web of lies.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Convenient Stranger

Andrea meets Dennis at the airport and accepts his claims about his education and career. Their friendship grows while he helps her with auditions and joins her social life.

Key Events

• Andrea Returns From Audition — Andrea returns from a New York audition as a struggling comedian and actress. Characters: Andrea Singer Location: Los Angeles airport
• Dennis Returns Her Pass — Dennis returns Andrea's missing boarding pass, creating their first encounter. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Airport
• Flight Conversation — Andrea sits beside Dennis, who claims to be Yale educated and employed in hedge funds. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Airplane
• Friendship Takes Shape — Andrea and Dennis begin spending time together as friends. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Los Angeles
• Drinks At Margot's Bar — Dennis joins Andrea for drinks at Margot's bar. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis, Margot Location: Margot's bar
• Audition Preparation — Dennis is available to Andrea and helps her prepare for auditions. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Los Angeles

Romance Through Deception

Dennis's failed romantic proposal initially confirms Andrea's lack of attraction. After exploiting a false family crisis, he becomes her boyfriend.

Key Events

• Failed Dinner Proposal — Dennis asks Andrea to be his girlfriend, but his card is declined and Andrea refuses. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Restaurant
• Andrea Wins The Lead — Andrea gets the lead in Space Cadet and shares the news with Margot. Characters: Andrea Singer, Margot Location: Los Angeles
• Dennis Claims A Crisis — Dennis interrupts Andrea's date after claiming that his mother is dying of cancer. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Los Angeles
• The Relationship Begins — Andrea and Dennis get high, hook up, and agree to become girlfriend and boyfriend. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Los Angeles

Cracks In The Story

Andrea and Margot discover that Dennis's claimed home does not belong to him. His changing explanations and fake injury intensify Andrea's suspicions.

Key Events

• The House Does Not Match — Andrea and Margot visit Dennis's claimed home and discover two female roommates live there. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis, Margot Location: Dennis's claimed address
• Dennis Changes His Story — Andrea confronts Dennis, who lies again by claiming his sick mother lives in the house. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Los Angeles
• Weekend In Santa Monica — Andrea and Dennis visit Brett during a weekend trip and plan a round of golf. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis, Brett Location: Santa Monica
• Dennis Fakes An Injury — Dennis fakes an injury to avoid playing golf with Brett. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis, Brett Location: Santa Monica
• The Gaudy Ring — Andrea questions Dennis about his claims, and he presents a gaudy pre-engagement ring. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Santa Monica

The Investigation Widens

Margot warns Andrea before the pilot table read, and Serrena joins the investigation. Interviews reveal that Dennis fabricated his job and college background.

Key Events

• Table Read Tension — Margot warns Andrea about Dennis before the table read, where Serrena appears as a guest. Characters: Andrea Singer, Serrena, Margot Location: Pilot table read
• Serrena Joins The Inquiry — Andrea enlists Serrena to help Margot investigate Dennis. Characters: Andrea Singer, Serrena, Margot Location: Los Angeles
• The Identity Is Fabricated — Denise occupies the claimed house, while roommates confirm Dennis lied about work and college. Characters: Andrea Singer, Serrena, Margot Location: Dennis's claimed house

Consequences Become Comedy

Andrea and Margot's retaliation leaves Dennis injured, and he takes Andrea to court. A restraining order follows, while Andrea transforms the experience into stand-up material.

Key Events

• The Drunken Retaliation — Margot gets Dennis drunk; he passes out, and Andrea and Margot accidentally injure him. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis, Margot Location: Los Angeles
• Dennis Takes Andrea To Court — Dennis responds to the confrontation by taking Andrea to court for kidnapping him. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis Location: Court
• Restraining Order And Material — Andrea receives a restraining order and turns the experience into material for her stand-up routine. Characters: Andrea Singer, Dennis, Margot Location: Los Angeles

Story Breakdown

• Andrea's Career Struggle — Andrea balances stand-up comedy with frustration over her stalled acting career.
  • Los Angeles Hustle — Andrea works as a stand-up comedian and aspiring actress.
  • Space Cadet Breakthrough — Andrea gets the lead in a series filmed in Vancouver.
• Dennis Enters Her Life — Dennis meets Andrea at the airport and presents an impressive personal identity.
  • Returned Boarding Pass — Dennis returns Andrea's missing boarding pass at the airport.
  • Impressive Credentials — Dennis claims Yale education and hedge fund employment.
• Friendship Turns Romantic — Dennis becomes a reliable companion before manipulating Andrea into a relationship.
  • Audition Support — Dennis helps Andrea prepare for auditions.
  • False Family Crisis — Dennis claims his mother is dying to disrupt Andrea's date.
• Early Lies Surface — Andrea and Margot begin testing Dennis's claims after his behavior becomes suspicious.
  • False House Address — The address Dennis gives Andrea belongs to a house with different occupants.
  • Fake Golf Injury — Dennis pretends to be injured to avoid golf with Brett.
• Friends Investigate — Andrea expands the inquiry with Margot and Serrena as Dennis's story unravels.
  • Table Read Warning — Margot warns Andrea about Dennis before the pilot table read.
  • Roommate Testimony — Roommates confirm that Dennis lied about his work and education.
• Public Consequences — The confrontation produces legal consequences but also gives Andrea new comedy material.
  • Drunken Confrontation — Dennis becomes drunk and is accidentally injured during the retaliation.
  • Restraining Order — Andrea receives a restraining order after Dennis takes her to court.

Directed by

Kimmy Gatewood

Key Cast

• Iliza Shlesinger — Andrea Singer
• Ryan Hansen — Dennis
• Rebecca Rittenhouse — Serrena
• Matt McGorry — Brett
• Taylor Hill — Chanterelle