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Plot Summary

Literally, Right Before Aaron (2017) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 105 min · English
Echo score 27
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Starring
Cobie Smulders, Kristen Schaal, Lea Thompson, Peter Gallagher, John Cho, Justin Long

Navigating the complexities of his ex's wedding, Adam finds himself grappling with the reasons for their failed relationship and questioning his own path forward. Surrounded by the humorous and sometimes awkward moments of the celebration, he begins to understand that letting go and embracing change are essential steps toward finding genuine happiness and building a brighter future.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Literally, Right Before Aaron
  6. 6 Every angle
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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Literally, Right Before Aaron: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Literally, Right Before Aaron (2017) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Adam receives an unexpected call from his ex-girlfriend, Allison, who invites him to her wedding. Though hesitant at first, her insistence and the promise that she would attend his own wedding someday sway him into agreeing.

As Adam navigates through his day at work, he finds himself sitting at a conference meeting where his editing skills for documentaries are praised. His focus has been on a nature documentary, but as he grapples with his emotions, Claire suggests that he should step out more and enjoy some quality time with friends. They decide to go bowling, but Adam’s mood is so heavy that he barely participates, letting his bowling ball roll straight into the gutter.

Later, he attends dinner with his current girlfriend, Helen. In a surprising twist, Adam first proposes to her, only for him to abruptly change direction and break things off, leaving her furious and hurt. The reflective tunes of Tony Bennett’s "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" bring forth a wave of nostalgia, prompting Adam to recall his cherished moments with Allison through vivid flashbacks.

Determined to confront his past, Adam makes the journey to San Francisco for the wedding. Upon checking into a hotel, he encounters the overly enthusiastic Rohan, who wants to prepare for any guests Adam might have. Adam reassures him that he is alone, leading him to grapple with feelings of loneliness.

During a stroll through a bookstore, an unexpected reunion with Greg delights him, although Adam pretends not to recognize him. Greg fondly reminisces about Adam and Allison, claiming they were the perfect couple. This encounters sparks further flashbacks of how they met at college, where purple-haired Allison captivated him among the shelves of classic literature.

As the wedding draws near, Adam connects with Aaron, who is overjoyed to see him. Yet, Adam feels the weight of trying to explain who he is to others unaware of his past with Allison. After sharing an intimate conversation with her, he faces an awkward moment when a guest reveals his recent breakup, adding to the tension.

Seeking some comfort, Adam heads out for a jog and visits his mother, Deb. She is ecstatic to see him but is left heartbroken when Adam tears up a photograph of him and Allison, an emblem of their past. In a rather questionable tennis match with Aaron, Adam learns to keep his spirits alive despite not playing well.

Fate leads him to Allison's workplace, where they engage in an innocent conversation, revisiting their shared memories as they ride a cable car. Mark, his connection back home, raises questions about Adam attending the wedding solo, leading him to agree to bring along Talula, whom he meets and confides in before the celebration.

The wedding day arrives and Adam sits alongside Talula, anxiously waiting for the moment when everyone is asked to voice objections. In a moment of courage, he stands up, kisses Allison, to the cheers of the crowd. However, as he attempts to express his feelings, nervousness overtakes him, and he ends up choking on his words, leading to an awkward yet typical wedding conclusion.

At the reception, Adam converses with Allison's mother, Wendy, and later encounters an exuberant Aaron who announces a cake reveal and his culinary journey in Paris. After a brief respite outside, he shares a smoke with Federico, who offers unexpected but insightful advice laced with references to Tom Petty songs.

Back inside, Adam attempts to engage with the festivities, even as he finds himself hiding in the restroom, where there’s a poignant discussion with Allison amidst the chaos of the wedding. Deep down, they confront their breakup's unhealed facets, though the moment is fleeting as Leandra reminds Allison of her responsibilities.

As the evening winds down, Allison's father raises a toast, but in a fit of emotion, Adam makes a drastic move and knocks over the wedding cake, leading to an unexpected chase with Aaron and Allison. The night takes a wild turn when Adam is unexpectedly hit by a car but brushes it off, leaving Allison visibly concerned. Just as swiftly, he disappears into the night, catching a bus that takes him towards the unknown.

In the closing credit sequence, glimpses of Adam appear against breathtaking backdrops—mountainous landscapes in the cold, peaceful boat rides on a serene lake, and a solitary venture hitchhiking, signifying his journey through love, loss, and the road ahead.

Last updated: October 31, 2024 at 14:54

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Plot questions answered

Literally, Right Before Aaron Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Literally, Right Before Aaron (2017): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Adam agree to attend Allison's wedding?

Adam initially hesitates but agrees after Allison insists and promises that she would attend his own wedding someday. This promise appeals to his hope that they might still end up together, and it also gives him a reason to confront his unresolved feelings about their past relationship.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Adam's inability to enjoy bowling with Claire signals his emotional instability and fixation on Allison.

  • adam
  • allison
  • wedding invitation
  • ex-girlfriend
  • reasons
Q2

Why does Adam break up with Helen before the wedding?

Adam breaks up with Helen during dinner because he realizes he cannot fully commit to her while still holding onto feelings for Allison. His proposal followed immediately by a breakup shows his confusion, he wants to prove he's ready for commitment, but his heart isn't in the relationship with Helen.

Foreshadowing: The bowling scene earlier shows Adam emotionally withdrawn, unable to engage with present-day life.

  • adam
  • helen
  • breakup
  • proposal
  • current girlfriend
Q3

Why does Adam stand up and kiss Allison at her wedding?

Adam stands up during the wedding ceremony because he can't suppress his feelings any longer. He hopes to object to the marriage and declare his love for Allison. However, he chokes on his words and only manages to kiss her before the awkward moment passes, and the ceremony continues.

Foreshadowing: His conversation with Talula about bringing a date and his nervousness waiting for the objection moment show his building intention to speak up.

  • adam
  • allison
  • wedding kiss
  • ceremony
  • objection
Q4

Why does Adam knock over the wedding cake?

Adam knocks over the cake in a fit of emotion during the reception toast. Overwhelmed by watching Allison's father raise a toast to her marriage and unable to contain his sadness and regret, he lashes out physically by pushing the cake, which triggers a chaotic chase with Aaron and Allison.

Foreshadowing: Earlier moments of emotional buildup, his conversation with Allison in the restroom and seeing her happy with Aaron, accumulate into this breaking point.

  • adam
  • wedding cake
  • emotional breakdown
  • reception
Q5

What does Adam's ending mean - why does he run away?

Adam's ending represents his choice to embrace uncertainty rather than stay in a painful situation. After getting hit by the car but brushing it off, he boards a bus into the unknown, signaling his willingness to move forward despite not having all the answers. The closing shots of him traveling alone through mountains and lakes suggest a journey of self-discovery and healing.

Foreshadowing: His earlier decision to tear up the photo with his mother marks the moment he begins letting go of the past.

  • adam
  • ending
  • bus
  • journey
  • healing
  • closure
Q6

What is the significance of the flashbacks with purple-haired Allison?

The flashbacks show Adam and Allison meeting at college, where purple-haired Allison first captivated him among the shelves of classic literature. These memories represent the pure, idealized version of their relationship that Adam is nostalgic for, contrasting with the reality of why they actually broke up.

Foreshadowing: Tony Bennett's song triggers these memories, linking music to his emotional regression to the past.

  • flashbacks
  • allison
  • college
  • purple hair
  • memories
Q7

Why does Adam tear up the photo with his mom?

When Adam visits his mother Deb, he tears up a photograph of himself and Allison as a way to symbolically destroy the physical reminder of his past relationship. This act represents his attempt to let go, though it visibly hurts his mother, showing how his emotional pain is affecting those around him.

Foreshadowing: His heavy mood at the bowling alley and his breakup with Helen foreshadow this release of pent-up emotion.

  • adam
  • deb
  • mother
  • photo
  • letting go
Q8

What advice does Federico give Adam at the wedding?

Federico, the hotel manager, offers Adam advice about love and moving on, referencing Tom Petty songs. His wisdom helps Adam gain perspective, though the advice is presented in a quirky, character-appropriate way that fits the film's comedic tone.

Foreshadowing: Federico's enthusiastic preparation for guests earlier shows his desire to help others find happiness.

  • federico
  • advice
  • tom petty
  • wedding
  • wisdom
Q9

Why does Adam visit Allison at her workplace?

Adam unexpectedly goes to Allison's workplace, where they engage in an innocent conversation and ride a cable car together. This reunion allows them to reminisce about their shared past and reawaken buried emotions, giving both closure while also making Adam more conflicted about the wedding.

Foreshadowing: His decision to travel to San Francisco in the first place shows his underlying desire to reconnect with her.

  • adam
  • allison
  • workplace
  • cable car
  • san francisco
Q10

Why does Adam bring Talula to the wedding?

After Mark questions why Adam is attending the wedding alone, Adam agrees to bring Talula as his date. He meets her and confides in her before the celebration, using her as emotional support and a buffer against the awkwardness of facing Allison's wedding solo.

Foreshadowing: Mark's question about bringing a date plants the idea that Adam needs a companion to navigate the event.

  • adam
  • talula
  • date
  • wedding guest
  • support

Movie threads

More Movies Like Literally, Right Before Aaron, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about an ex's wedding like Literally, Right Before Aaron

Stories where confronting a past love at their wedding forces reluctant self-examination. If you liked the awkward and reflective journey in Literally, Right Before Aaron, you'll find similar stories here. These movies explore the complex emotions of attending an ex's wedding, blending comedy and drama as characters confront their past and struggle to move on.

  • awkward
  • nostalgic
  • regretful
  • humorous
  • melancholic
  • self-reflective
  • Tone: bittersweet, awkward, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern typically unfolds over a wedding weekend, using the structured events as a backdrop for the protagonist's internal journey. Flashbacks often contrast the past relationship's happiness with the present reality, building towards a moment of confrontation or clarity that forces the character to accept the end of the relationship and begin a new chapter.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared setting and core conflict—the emotionally charged scenario of an ex's wedding. They consistently mix bittersweet tones, balancing cringe-worthy humor from awkward social situations with genuine melancholy, creating a specific, relatable viewing experience centered on closure and personal growth.

Bittersweet movies about moving on like Literally, Right Before Aaron

Character-driven stories about the painful but necessary process of moving on from the past. Fans of Literally, Right Before Aaron's reflective and bittersweet vibe will appreciate these films. They feature similar journeys of characters grappling with the past, learning to let go, and finding a path forward, often with a mix of humor and melancholy.

  • reflective
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • nostalgic
  • lonely
  • humorous
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow a linear, character-centric arc where the protagonist is stuck in the past. The plot forces them to actively confront their attachment through a catalyzing event. The resolution is often open-ended, focusing less on a clear 'happy ending' and more on the character's first steps toward an undefined but hopeful future.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their central theme of 'letting go' and their consistent bittersweet emotional palette. They share a medium emotional weight, a steady pacing that allows for reflection, and an ambiguous ending that feels realistic rather than neatly conclusive, prioritizing emotional authenticity over narrative closure.

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Every angle

Literally, Right Before Aaron (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Literally, Right Before Aaron 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.

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