My Tutor (1983) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Bobby must retake his French final and score at least 85% to secure admission to Yale University, the prestigious school his wealthy lawyer father attended. His initial performance on the exam was poor enough to jeopardize his acceptance, forcing him into summer remediation with a tutor.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Bobby struggling in the exam room while Terry demonstrates fluency, establishing the academic gap between them.

• french exam
• yale
• retake
• bobby
• academic requirement

Mr. Chrystal hires Terry Green to live with the family over the summer specifically to help Bobby pass his French exam. He offers her a $10,000 bonus if Bobby successfully passes his final, creating a strong financial incentive for Terry to invest in his education.

• terry green
• tutor
• hiring
• bonus
• summer

Their relationship evolves gradually through shared private moments. Bobby secretly watches Terry swimming at night and gets caught, creating initial tension. Later, after Bobby's friends fail again in their quest to lose their virginity, he comes home to find Terry upset about her boyfriend's infidelity. They bond over shared heartbreak at the pool, which sparks the beginning of their passionate affair.

Foreshadowing: The secret pool watching scenes establish Bobby's attraction and create the private setting where their relationship eventually unfolds.

• romance
• pool scene
• relationship
• bobby
• terry
• affair

After Bobby scores 91% on his French exam, Mr. Chrystal informs him about the promised $10,000 bonus for Terry. This news plants seeds of doubt in Bobby's mind about whether Terry's feelings for him were genuine or motivated by the financial reward. The revelation triggers his accusation that she was driven by greed rather than love.

• money
• doubt
• bonus
• terry motives
• bobby

Mr. Chrystal, who secretly harbors a crush on Terry, accidentally stumbles upon Bobby and Terry during a passionate moment. This discovery creates significant tension in the household, especially since Bobby is still a student and Terry is his tutor. The awkward encounter complicates their relationship further and contributes to the emotional fallout that follows.

• mr chrystal
• caught
• discover
• tension
• relationship

Bobby confronts his father after learning about the tutoring arrangement and the financial deal surrounding Terry. Fuming over his father's manipulation and control over his life decisions, Bobby rejects Mr. Chrystal's influence and asserts his independence. This confrontation marks a pivotal moment in Bobby's journey toward self-acceptance and breaking free from his father's expectations.

• father
• confrontation
• control
• independence
• bobby

After his painful confrontation with Terry and the end of their affair, Bobby rekindles his previous crush on Bonnie. Channeling his renewed self-confidence and self-esteem from passing his exam and standing up to his father, Bobby pursues Bonnie and wins her over, providing emotional closure after the intensity of his summer romance.

Foreshadowing: Bobby's initial summer ambition was losing his virginity to Bonnie, establishing his long-standing interest in her.

• bonnie
• rekindle
• romance
• ending
• bobby

Bobby achieves a score of 91% on his French final, exceeding the required 85% threshold and securing his place at Yale. This success fulfills the academic goal set by his father and validates Terry's tutoring efforts, though it also triggers the financial revelation that complicates Bobby and Terry's relationship.

• exam score
• french
• 91%
• yale
• passing

Before Terry departs from the Chrystal home, Bobby seeks her out to apologize for his hurtful accusations that she was only motivated by greed rather than genuine feelings. He expresses gratitude for the memorable moments they shared during their summer affair, acknowledging the significance of their relationship despite its complicated ending.

• apology
• farewell
• terry
• bobby
• goodbye

Terry initially maintains strict tutor-student boundaries, understanding the inappropriate nature of the dynamic. However, after Bobby discovers her crying over her boyfriend's infidelity, they share a genuine emotional connection at the pool. This shared vulnerability breaks down her resistance, leading her to pursue a passionate affair despite knowing it would complicate their professional relationship.

• terry
• boundaries
• resistance
• relationship
• emotional connection