Year: 2021
Runtime: 92 min
Language: English
Director: Kim Gatewood
Stand-up comedian Andrea Singer finds her career flourishing, but her romantic life suffers as she prioritizes jokes over genuine connection. That changes when she meets Dennis, a charming and seemingly perfect man who quickly wins her heart. However, Andrea’s best friend Margot isn't so sure, and begins investigating Dennis’ background, leading to a hilarious and surprising series of events as she tries to uncover the truth about him and his intentions.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Good on Paper (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Living in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, aspiring stand-up comedian and actress Andrea Singer finds herself grappling with the challenges of her chosen career. She feels a twinge of bitterness towards Serrena, a fellow performer who has eclipsed her in success despite sharing a similar journey. This sense of frustration intensifies during a chance encounter at the airport, where she meets Dennis Kelley. He comes to her aid by returning her misplaced boarding pass, setting their unexpected relationship into motion.
Seated next to Dennis on their flight back home, Andrea quickly learns that he is far more than he seems—a Yale graduate employed in the hedge fund sector. Their chemistry flourishes as they spend time together in the city, bonding over drinks at Margot’s bar, Andrea’s best friend. Intriguingly, Andrea finds Dennis to embody both pompousness and humility, a refreshing contrast to the typical personalities she encounters in her profession. Their friendship deepens, with Dennis supporting her through auditions, yet Andrea is adamant that her feelings for him are purely platonic.
However, everything shifts after a performance at The Comedy Store where Dennis unexpectedly proposes they become a couple during a lavish dinner marred by a declined credit card. His claims, such as having ordered a beautiful bracelet for her from Cartier, do little to sway Andrea, who remains unimpressed and uninterested.
The trajectory of Andrea’s acting career takes a dramatic turn when she lands the lead role in the series “Space Cadet,” much to her joy. Eager to share this milestone, she reaches out to Dennis, who suggests they celebrate together. Unfortunately, Andrea already has plans with someone else. In an unexpected turn of events, Dennis disrupts her date under the guise of familial distress regarding his supposed dying mother, leading to an uninhibited night that culminates in their first kiss and an agreed-upon commitment.
As their relationship blossoms, Andrea and Margot grow increasingly suspicious of Dennis’s claims, prompting them to investigate his background. Their inquiries lead them to an address that reveals Dennis’s misleading claims about his living situation, including the shocking truth of his two female roommates.
Confronted with deceit, Andrea has an emotional showdown with Dennis, who continues to fabricate stories, insisting that his sick mother lives with him. In an effort to bolster their relationship, they spend a weekend with Andrea’s cousin Brett and his partner, both successful Yale graduates. A round of golf intended as a bonding experience is thwarted when Dennis fakes an injury, raising further red flags for Andrea.
As doubts mount, Andrea seeks clarity concerning Dennis’s credentials, which leads to an awkward moment when he presents her with a gaudy ring that he claims symbolizes their engagement. Just as Andrea is trying to sort out her feelings, her best friend Margot calls with more unsolicited dirt on Dennis, fueling Andrea’s growing unease.
The tensions escalate when Serrena unexpectedly shows up during a pivotal table read, initially instigating anger in Andrea, but later coaxing her to dig deeper into Dennis’s life alongside Margot. The supposed home of Dennis is revealed to be occupied by a Hispanic woman named Denise, and further inquiries from Andrea and Margot uncover the reality behind his dubious claims about work and education.
In a fit of vengeance and resolve, Margot gets Dennis intoxicated, leading to unintended injuries. This incident spirals out of control and culminates in Dennis taking Andrea to court for kidnapping, a move that thrusts their tumultuous saga into the public eye. Amidst all this chaos, Andrea is left with a restraining order against Dennis, providing her with new material for her stand-up routine and a painful comedic twist to her already complicated life.
Last Updated: December 13, 2024 at 06:47
Still wondering what the ending of Good on Paper (2021) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the end, Andrea and her friend Margot discover that Dennis Kelly, the man she thought was perfect after their initial meeting, is actually a con artist and a compulsive liar. Dennis fabricated stories about his education, his family, and his career, all to impress Andrea and gain her affection. His narcissistic tendencies drove him to seek validation and importance through these lies. When Margot and Andrea confront him while he’s under the influence of alcohol, Dennis confesses that he approached Andrea out of infatuation and lied about everything to make himself more attractive.
Despite his deception, Andrea decides to let go of Dennis and his lies. However, Dennis reactively claims that she kidnapped and assaulted him, trying to turn the situation around. The court eventually rules in Andrea’s favor, granting her a restraining order to keep him away, which aligns with her desire to stay clear of his manipulative presence. In a symbolic act of reclaiming her story and warning others, Andrea sells Dennis’s proposal ring and posts a billboard warning about his lies and deceit.
Overall, the ending emphasizes Andrea’s strength and independence, showing her overcoming deception and manipulations. It leaves her empowered, having exposed Dennis’s falsehoods and moved on from the toxic relationship, reinforcing the film’s message about authenticity versus superficiality.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58
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