The Nutty Professor

The Nutty Professor

Year: 1996

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Tom Shadyac

Sci-FiComedyRomance

A shy and overweight chemistry professor, Dr. Sherman Klump, attempts to create a love potion to win over his beautiful college acquaintance, Jada Pinkett. He transforms himself into the confident and charming "Buddy Love," but struggles to maintain control of his alter ego as the serum's effects intensify. Balancing his two distinct personalities, Sherman must find a way to win Jada’s affection and prevent Buddy Love from taking over completely.

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Timeline – The Nutty Professor (1996)

Trace every key event in The Nutty Professor (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Chaos Begins

Sherman Klump accidentally releases 5,000 laboratory hamsters at Wellman College while preparing for work, causing chaos on campus. This incident complicates Sherman's already challenging day as he tries to manage his dual responsibilities as a professor and a scientist.

Wellman College
2

The Problem at the Meeting

Following the hamster incident, Sherman meets with Dean Richmond who informs him that the mishap has resulted in severe budget cuts for the science department. The meeting underscores the increasing pressure Sherman faces as he tries to secure funding for his important genetic research.

Dean's Office
3

A Spark of Romance

After his class, Sherman meets Carla Purty, a chemistry graduate student, and instantly falls in love with her. Their chemistry is evident, and Sherman is taken by surprise when Carla expresses admiration for his work.

Classroom
4

Family Dinner Chaos

Sherman attends a dinner with his loud and unrefined family, where he reveals his intentions to lose weight. His father ridicules him for trying to change, while his mother reassures him of his worth, highlighting the tension between acceptance and change in Sherman's life.

Klump Family Home
5

Inspired by a Dream

Motivated by a dream where he envisions a romantic scenario with Carla, Sherman is determined to lose weight. He begins a rigorous and humorous exercise montage, showcasing his commitment to transforming himself before his upcoming date.

6

Date Gone Wrong

Sherman's date with Carla initially goes well until comedian Reggie Warrington starts heckling him during the show. The harsh jokes about his obesity leave Sherman humiliated and heartbroken, ending the evening on a painful note.

The Scream
7

Turning to Junk Food

After the disastrous date, Sherman indulges in junk food while watching a motivational show featuring Lance Perkins. This moment of weakness leads him to ultimately experiment with the experimental weight-loss serum he has been working on.

Sherman's Home
8

The Transformation

Sherman successfully uses the serum on himself, losing 300 pounds in seconds and becoming fit. He is ecstatic about his transformation, enjoying newfound confidence as he experiences the thrill of being slim for the first time.

9

The Emergence of Buddy Love

Embracing his new identity, Sherman creates an alter ego named Buddy Love, who is brash and confident. He takes Carla out, but the serum starts to wear off, revealing the strain of maintaining this new persona.

The Scream
10

Buddy's Outrage

Buddy's personality dominates as he rudely takes credit for Sherman's work at a meeting with Harlan Hartley. This deception further complicates Sherman's relationship with Carla and jeopardizes his career.

The Ritz
11

The Wild Party

While remaining in Buddy's form, he throws an outrageous party at Sherman's house, leading to chaos and confusion the next morning. This reckless behavior results in Sherman facing eviction and further tarnishes his reputation.

Sherman's Home
12

The Confrontation at the Alumni Ball

Buddy arrives at the alumni ball aiming to showcase the serum's effects, but Jason attempts to stop him as Buddy's behavior spirals out of control. The confrontation signifies a critical clash between Buddy's reckless persona and the true Sherman.

Alumni Ball
13

The Final Showdown

In a dramatic mix of transformations, Sherman fights for control of his body against Buddy during the event. Their struggle culminates in Sherman reclaiming his identity, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance.

Alumni Ball Stage
14

A New Beginning

After defeating Buddy, Sherman addresses the audience, sharing his journey and insights about self-acceptance. Carla supports him, and together they dance, symbolizing a fresh start in their relationship.

Alumni Ball
15

The Grant Secured

Harlan Hartley acknowledges Sherman's brilliance and decides to award him a grant. This moment signifies not just professional success for Sherman, but also a personal victory over the insecurities he faced.

Alumni Ball

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 19:25

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The Nutty Professor Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Nutty Professor

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