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Making Mr. Right (1987) movie poster

Spoiler-Free Summary

Making Mr. Right (1987) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

Release, runtime and language
1987 · 98 mins · English
Directed by
Susan Seidelman
Starring
Laurie Metcalf, John Malkovich, Glenne Headly, Polly Draper, Susan Berman, Ann Magnuson

Image consultant Frankie Stone is hired by a tech firm to program a scientist’s sophisticated android, the “Ulysses Robot,” to behave like a real man. While teaching the machine social cues, she unexpectedly develops genuine feelings for the faux human, questioning what it means to love.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 What it is about
  2. 2 Is it worth watching?
  3. 3 After you watch
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Making Mr. Right
  6. 6 Every angle

Spoiler-free summary · safe to read

What Is Making Mr. Right About? (No Spoilers)

The plot of Making Mr. Right (1987) without spoilers: what it is about, who it follows and where it takes place, told without the twists or the ending. Enough to decide whether it is your next watch, not enough to ruin it.

In a sleek, near‑future world where sleek glass towers house both cutting‑edge research and relentless public‑relations pressure, a tech firm has set its sights on a bold experiment: a fully autonomous android designed to mimic human intimacy. The project sits at the crossroads of daring engineering and corporate spectacle, offering a glimpse of a future where machines might fill the gaps left by solitary ambition.

Frankie Stone arrives as the firm’s image consultant, a charismatic fixer whose talent lies in shaping narratives and teaching people—now machines—how to be seen. Paired with the emotionally guarded Dr. Jeff Peters, whose brilliance is matched only by his disdain for ordinary affection, she is tasked with programming the “Ulysses” robot to navigate the subtleties of everyday life. Ulysses itself is a sophisticated replica, built to endure the isolation of deep‑space missions while presenting a familiar, human façade.

As Frankie guides the android through the labyrinth of social cues—tone, humor, vulnerability—she finds the line between teacher and confidante blurring. The collaboration becomes a quiet laboratory for examining what it truly means to love something that is, on paper, a flawless simulation. The film’s tone balances witty, tech‑savvy banter with a thoughtful, almost meditative curiosity, inviting viewers to wonder whether the heart’s algorithms can ever be fully programmed, or if genuine connection will always remain something just beyond the circuit board.

Last updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:41

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What to expect

Is Making Mr. Right Worth Watching? What It Feels Like

Is it dark, sad, slow, intense or confusing? The mood of Making Mr. Right (1987) in a few tags, without a word about how it ends. Each tag opens a list of movies that feel the same.

After you watch

Seen Making Mr. Right? Now Read the Spoilers

Once you have watched Making Mr. Right (1987), come back for the full story: the plot summary with spoilers, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning.

Movie threads

More Movies Like Making Mr. Right, by Mood & Story

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

Whimsical Sci-Fi Romances like Making Mr. Right

Heartfelt stories where technology meets love in quirky, thought-provoking ways. If you enjoyed the quirky romance and AI themes of Making Mr. Right, explore more movies like it. This thread collects similar sci-fi comedies and romantic stories where technology sparks unexpected love, blending humor with thoughtful questions about identity and humanity.

  • whimsical
  • romantic
  • thoughtful
  • playful
  • quirky
  • melancholic
  • Tone: whimsical, thoughtful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives often follow a character who must teach or guide an artificial being, only to develop unexpected feelings that challenge their own understanding of love and personhood. The journey typically moves from humorous, awkward interactions to a deeper emotional connection, culminating in a resolution that questions the boundaries between human and machine.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared blend of a light, whimsical tone with a sci-fi romance premise that thoughtfully explores themes of identity. They balance humor and heart, creating a unique viewing experience that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Bittersweet Romantic Comedies like Making Mr. Right

Romantic stories where humor meets heartfelt emotion and poignant endings. For fans of the heartfelt yet humorous romance in Making Mr. Right, this thread highlights similar movies with a bittersweet feel. Discover other romantic comedies that balance playful, quirky characters with genuine emotional depth and endings that are hopeful yet poignant.

  • bittersweet
  • quirky
  • romantic
  • thoughtful
  • playful
  • melancholic
  • Tone: whimsical, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves an unlikely or unconventional couple navigating the awkward and humorous process of falling in love, often against an unusual backdrop. The central relationship develops through a series of comedic and heartfelt moments, but the story acknowledges that true connection comes with complexities, leading to an ending that is satisfying yet realistically nuanced rather than perfectly happy.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their ability to mix comedy and romance with a distinct bittersweet sensibility. They share a moderate pacing, a medium emotional weight, and a focus on the beautiful, sometimes painful, realities of building relationships, making the laughter feel earned and the emotions resonate deeply.

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Movies Like Making Mr. Right

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Every angle

Making Mr. Right (1987) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Making Mr. Right 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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