Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Accidental Love (2015) movie poster

Timeline

Accidental Love (2015) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 100 min · English
JustWatch #14,629 8
Directed by
David O. Russell

A charming but hapless politician unexpectedly falls for a quirky waitress, launching a whimsical and unpredictable romance. Their courtship is complicated by a peculiar situation: a nail lodged in her scalp. As he tries to win her over, he must confront his own awkwardness and learn to appreciate her unique personality, embracing her imperfections along the way.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Accidental Love
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Accidental Love (2015)

Where can you watch Accidental Love? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

15 events in order · contains spoilers

Accidental Love Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Accidental Love (2015) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. A Dinner Date Gone Wrong

    In the charming town of Indiana, Alice enjoys a dinner date with her boyfriend Scott, who is an Indiana State Trooper. Just when Scott plans to propose, an accident occurs when a careless repairman mistakenly shoots a nail into Alice's head, leading to a shocking turn of events.

    Where
    Indiana
  2. The Hospital Dilemma

    After the accident, Alice is taken to the hospital, only to find that the medical team refuses to operate due to her lack of health insurance. This leads to a tumultuous reaction in her life, setting off a chain of bizarre and distressing events.

    Where
    Hospital in Indiana
  3. Alice's Emotional Turmoil

    As Alice grapples with the aftermath of her injury, she experiences erratic emotional shifts, leading to unrestrained desires and bursts of anger. Scott, feeling overwhelmed, decides against proposing and turns to Alice's colleague for comfort.

    Where
    Indiana
  4. Aunt Rita's Surgery Attempt

    In an effort to help Alice, her family tries to raise funds but only manages to gather a meager $600. Aunt Rita, a local veterinarian, steps in to attempt an operation, but her efforts ultimately prove unsuccessful.

    Where
    Indiana
  5. Meeting the Reverend

    Amidst the chaos, Alice meets Reverend Norm, who is dealing with his own vulnerabilities, including a drug-induced state that affects his clarity. Their meeting presents a connection between two troubled souls seeking solace in their struggles.

    Where
    Indiana
  6. A Call to Action

    Inspired by junior Congressman Howard Birdwell, Alice is encouraged to advocate for healthcare reform. Realizing that she needs to voice her concerns, she decides to travel to Washington D.C. to seek help.

    Where
    Indiana to Washington D.C.
  7. Confrontation in Congress

    Upon reaching Howard's office, Alice, Reverend Norm, and Keyshawn encounter House Whip Pam Hendrickson, who is manipulating Howard into supporting her military Moon-base agenda. Tensions arise as the group navigates political maneuvering.

    Where
    Washington D.C.
  8. A Deal with Howard

    During a clandestine meeting, Alice unexpectedly connects with Howard and strikes a deal: his support for her healthcare advocacy in exchange for her backing of the controversial Moon-base initiative. Their conversation sets the stage for some complex political dynamics.

    Where
    Washington D.C.
  9. The Cookie Tribute Incident

    As the Moon-base proposal gains traction, it culminates in a cookie tribute at the House where House Speaker Buck McCoy suffers a fatal accident due to Hendrickson's covert sabotage. This surprising turn of events highlights the risky nature of political machinations.

    Where
    Washington D.C.
  10. Alice's Bold Assertion

    At McCoy's funeral, Alice seizes the opportunity to assert that healthcare should take precedence over the Moon-base initiative. Inspired by her speech, the Squaw Girls pivot their efforts to promote 'Alice's Law,' a healthcare proposal for their community.

    Where
    Washington D.C.
  11. Back to Indiana

    In a move to undermine Alice, Hendrickson sends Scott back to Indiana to manipulate her feelings. However, Alice sees through this ploy and chooses to confront Howard, who is experiencing self-discovery at a retreat.

    Where
    Indiana
  12. Howard's Reckoning

    Through the encouragement of Scott and self-reflection, Howard realizes the impact of his past decisions. His return coincides with political fallout as the manipulation around him comes to light.

    Where
    Washington D.C.
  13. The Vote

    Despite the pressures and plots, Howard ultimately retracts his support for Hendrickson's agenda. In a surprising twist, he embeds a provision for Alice's healthcare within the Moon-base legislation, ensuring coverage for her and her friends.

    Where
    Washington D.C.
  14. The Aftermath

    In the wake of the legislation's passage, Hendrickson acknowledges the oversight of many lawmakers in reading the proposals they endorse. Howard's resignation follows the chaos, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.

    Where
    Washington D.C.
  15. A Twist of Fate

    As Reverend Norm officiates the union of Rakeesha and Keyshawn, Alice considers her relationship with Howard. However, an errant champagne cork leaves her with an injured eye, a reminder of how elusive personal happiness can be amid their victories.

    Where
    Washington D.C.

Last updated: November 19, 2024 at 11:52

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Accidental Love Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Accidental Love (2015): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why wouldn't the hospital operate on Alice after the nail accident?

The hospital refused to operate because Alice lacked health insurance. Without insurance, the medical team declined to perform the surgery to remove the nail from her head, despite the seriousness of her injury. This refusal sets off the chain of events that drives the entire story.

  • hospital
  • insurance
  • refused operation
  • medical
  • nail in head
Q2

How did the nail in Alice's head change her personality?

After the nail lodged in her scalp, Alice began experiencing erratic emotional shifts, including unrestrained sexual desires, bursts of anger, and spontaneous outbursts in Portuguese. These dramatic personality changes are the central absurd premise of the film, depicting how a traumatic brain injury manifests in unpredictable ways.

  • nail
  • head
  • personality changes
  • behavior
  • emotional shifts
Q3

Why did Scott leave Alice after her accident?

Scott decided not to propose to Alice and instead found comfort with one of her colleagues because he felt overwhelmed by her drastic personality changes following the nail injury. Her erratic emotional shifts and unpredictable behavior became too much for him to handle, leading him to abandon her during her time of need.

  • Scott
  • left Alice
  • relationship
  • proposal
  • abandoned
Q4

What was the deal Alice made with Congressman Howard Birdwell?

Alice struck a deal with Howard: he would help her advocate for healthcare reform in exchange for her backing his military Moon-base proposal. This clandestine agreement formed the foundation of their relationship and drove much of the political plotline in Washington D.C.

Foreshadowing: Howard had been reassuring constituents about his dedication to serving Indiana, hinting at his willingness to make deals.

  • Alice
  • Howard Birdwell
  • deal
  • Congress
  • moon base
  • healthcare
Q5

How did healthcare coverage get attached to the Moon-base legislation?

Howard embedded a healthcare provision for Alice and her friends within the Moon-base legislation. This sneaky legislative maneuver allowed the healthcare bill to pass despite opposition. The film humorously notes that many lawmakers don't read the full contents of proposed legislation, which enabled this trick to work.

  • healthcare
  • moon base
  • bill
  • legislation
  • provision
  • passed
Q6

Why did Congressman Howard Birdwell resign?

Howard resigned after Pam Hendrickson exposed his unscrupulous tactics and manipulation to the entire Congressional assembly. The exposure of his deal-making, including embedding provisions in legislation without proper oversight, forced him to step down from his position as junior Congressman.

  • Howard Birdwell
  • resigned
  • Congress
  • exposed
  • manipulation
Q7

Did Alice and Howard end up together at the end?

Alice and Howard's relationship remained unresolved in a bittersweet way. While Alice prepared to propose to Howard, an errant champagne cork from Keyshawn's celebration injured her eye, interrupting the moment. Their romantic future was left ambiguous amid the chaos of their hard-won legislative victory.

  • Alice
  • Howard
  • relationship
  • ending
  • proposal
  • injury
Q8

What was Pam Hendrickson's role in Buck McCoy's death?

Pam Hendrickson covertly sabotaged the cookie tribute at the House, which caused House Speaker Buck McCoy to suffer a fatal accident. This Machiavellian move was part of her scheme to gain power and advance her political agenda, including the military Moon-base initiative.

Foreshadowing: Hendrickson was fiercely pursuing power and manipulating Howard into supporting her agenda throughout the story.

  • Pam Hendrickson
  • Buck McCoy
  • death
  • sabotage
  • cookie tribute
Q9

Why did the Squaw Girls support Alice's Law instead of the Moon-base?

The Squaw Girls switched their support after Alice convinced them that healthcare should take priority over the Moon-base initiative. Additionally, they felt betrayed when the rumored Shakira appearance at their event turned out to be an illusion orchestrated by Hendrickson to manipulate them. This led them to champion 'Alice's Law' instead.

  • Squaw Girls
  • Alice's Law
  • moon base
  • shakira
  • healthcare bill
Q10

Why was Reverend Norm constantly aroused?

Reverend Norm was dealing with a drug-induced, constant state of arousal that underscored his vulnerability. This condition was caused by drug use and contributed to his character's comedic subplot while also highlighting his own personal struggles alongside Alice's medical ordeal.

  • Reverend Norm
  • arousal
  • drugs
  • condition
  • comedy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Accidental Love, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Accidental Love tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Political Satires like Accidental Love

Absurd and chaotic comedies that lampoon the world of politics with a quirky heart. Find more movies like Accidental Love that blend political satire with a whimsical tone. These quirky comedies use absurd situations and chaotic energy to deliver their message, perfect for fans of lighthearted, fast-paced stories about the oddities of power and governance.

  • satirical
  • quirky
  • chaotic
  • absurd
  • hopeful
  • unpredictable
  • Tone: whimsical, satirical, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically follow an ordinary person or an idealistic figure who gets entangled in the absurd machinery of government. The plot propels forward with a series of comedic mishaps and satirical set pieces, often culminating in an unconventional victory that comments on the system itself, all while maintaining a romantic or hopeful core.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared commitment to using whimsy and satire as tools for social observation. They balance fast pacing with a light emotional touch, creating a cohesive vibe of chaotic charm and optimistic critique that feels distinct from darker or more serious political dramas.

Movies about Imperfections and Unconventional Love like Accidental Love

Romantic comedies where love blossoms because of, not in spite of, unique quirks. If you liked the quirky romance in Accidental Love, explore these stories about unconventional love. These films feature couples who bond over their unique flaws and circumstances, offering a heartfelt and often humorous look at relationships that are beautifully imperfect.

  • quirky
  • romantic
  • unconventional
  • hopeful
  • bittersweet
  • absurd
  • Tone: quirky, hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The central romantic arc revolves around a specific, unusual obstacle or character trait that initially seems like a barrier but becomes the very foundation of the relationship. The journey involves learning to appreciate uniqueness, leading to a bittersweet or satisfying resolution that affirms the value of being authentically oneself.

Why they belong together: They share a core theme of finding romance in unexpected places and forms, championing individuality over conformity. The mood is consistently quirky and hopeful, with a light emotional weight that makes the stories feel charming and uplifting despite the unconventional premises.

If you liked this

Movies Like Accidental Love

Similar movies to Accidental Love: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Accidental Love (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Accidental Love in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app