Flubber

Flubber

Year: 1997

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: Les Mayfield

FantasyComedyFamily

A quirky inventor, Professor Philip Brainard, accidentally creates "flubber," a gelatinous substance with extraordinary properties while searching for a new energy source. The unpredictable flubber bounces into his life, creating comical mayhem and complicating his attempts to rekindle a romance with his former fiancée, Sara. As he tries to control his discovery and win her back, the mischievous flubber leads to a series of hilarious events and teaches everyone valuable lessons about love, friendship, and innovation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Flubber (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Flubber (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, mirroring the late 20th century's technological enthusiasm. This era is characterized by a burgeoning interest in scientific innovation and comedic storytelling, setting the stage for Professor Brainard's outlandish experiments and heartfelt romantic journey.

Location

Medfield College

Medfield College serves as the central setting for the film, highlighting the challenges and aspirations of academia. Known for its vibrant campus life, the college becomes the backdrop of Professor Brainard's inventive escapades, showcasing the interplay between his scientific endeavors and personal life.

🏫 College 🌳 Campus

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:19

Main Characters – Flubber (1997)

Meet the key characters of Flubber (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams)

Professor Philip Brainard is an eccentric and absent-minded inventor whose heart is in the right place, despite his repeated wedding day mishaps. His creativity drives him to develop Flubber, reflecting his desire to bring joy and innovation, but his personal life often suffers due to his obsession with science.

🧑‍🔬 Scientist ❤️ Romantic 🤦‍♂️ Absent-minded

Weebo

Weebo, voiced by Jodi Benson, is a charming robotic assistant who aids Philip in his scientific endeavors. She possesses a quirky personality and shows genuine affection for Philip, even recording his heartfelt confessions in moments of vulnerability. Her efforts to help stem from a blend of loyalty and an endearing sense of humor.

🤖 Robot ❤️ Supportive 😂 Humorous

Dr. Sara Jean Reynolds (Marcia Gay Harden)

Dr. Sara Jean Reynolds is the strong-willed college dean and the object of Philip's affection. Although she feels disappointment due to Philip's blunders, she embodies resilience and eventually comes to appreciate his dedication, illustrating the balance of personal ambition and romantic relationships.

🎓 Dean 💪 Strong-willed ❤️ Romantic

Wilson Croft (Christopher McDonald)

Wilson Croft serves as Philip's rival professor, representing the antagonistic force in Philip's quest for love. His character injects competition into the narrative, leading to humorous conflicts and showcasing how ambition can sometimes lead to misguided decisions.

🏆 Rival 😂 Comedic 🧑‍🏫 Academic

Chester Hoenicker (Raymond J. Barry)

Chester Hoenicker is a corrupt businessman whose greed drives him to exploit Philip's inventions for profit. His character highlights themes of corporate manipulation and the darker side of innovation, contrasting sharply with Philip's more altruistic intentions regarding his creations.

💼 Businessman 💰 Greedy 🚨 Antagonist

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:19

Major Themes – Flubber (1997)

Explore the central themes of Flubber (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love and Redemption

The theme of love and redemption is portrayed vividly through Professor Brainard's desperate attempts to win back Dr. Sara. Despite repeated setbacks, his resilience and innovative spirit ultimately lead to their reunion, illustrating that true love can endure through trials and challenges.

⚗️ Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of Brainard's character, as he conjures up the wacky Flubber and a flying car. This theme highlights the serendipitous nature of scientific discovery, showing how creativity can lead to unexpected solutions and humorous situations.

🎉 Comedy

Comedy permeates the narrative, stemming from the outrageous circumstances surrounding Flubber and the protagonist's misadventures. The laughter arises not only from Philip's scientific blunders but also from the quirky characters that populate his world, enriching the film's whimsical tone.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:19

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with chaotic inventions like Flubber

Stories where brilliant, eccentric inventors create chaos with their extraordinary discoveries.If you enjoyed the comedic chaos of Flubber's bouncy green discovery, you'll love these movies. This collection features similar stories of eccentric inventors, unpredictable scientific breakthroughs, and the whimsical mayhem that ensues. Find more family comedies where brilliant minds create hilarious problems.

whimsicalinventivechaoticplayfulenergeticcomicalquirkyslapstick

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows an eccentric inventor on the verge of a breakthrough, often with a personal deadline or goal. Their creation, while brilliant, is unstable or mischievous, leading to a series of escalating, comedic events that threaten to derail their plans before ultimately helping them achieve success and often personal growth.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core focus on the joyous chaos of innovation. They blend scientific curiosity with physical comedy, feature lovably quirky protagonists, and maintain a lighthearted, optimistic tone where problems are solved with creativity and humor rather than darkness or tension.

Absent-minded genius redemption arcs like in Flubber

Journeys of brilliant but flawed minds fixing their mistakes and winning back what they lost.Fans of Professor Brainard's journey in Flubber will appreciate these movies about brilliant yet distracted minds. This list finds similar stories where genius inventors or academics fix their mistakes, save the day, and mend personal relationships through their unique talents. Discover more films about quirky genius redemption.

redemptivequirkyheartwarmingacademicromanticupliftingcomicaleccentric

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a highly intelligent protagonist who is neglectful or distracted, leading to a personal or professional failure (like missing a wedding). Their greatest creation or intellectual strength becomes the key to solving the resulting crisis, allowing them to achieve redemption, earn forgiveness, and often win back a lost love or respect.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by a shared character archetype and emotional arc. They balance intellectual achievement with human foibles, focusing on themes of second chances, the importance of relationships over work, and the satisfying moment when a genius's unique mind finally solves a personal problem.

Unlock the Full Story of Flubber

Don't stop at just watching — explore Flubber in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Flubber is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Flubber Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Flubber, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Flubber Summary

Flubber Timeline

Track the full timeline of Flubber with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Flubber Timeline

Flubber Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Flubber that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Flubber Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Flubber

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Flubber: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Flubber