This Beautiful Fantastic (2017) Plot Summary Explained

Alfie reports the overgrown garden to the landlord because he genuinely cares about Bella's wellbeing, even though his gruff manner makes it seem otherwise. He knows the neglected garden reflects her internal struggles and uses the ultimatum as a catalyst to push her toward confronting her fears. This seemingly harsh action ultimately becomes the turning point that forces Bella to engage with nature and begin her healing journey.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Alfie watching Bella struggle from his window, hinting at his underlying concern despite his cold exterior.

• Alfie
• landlord
• garden
• ultimatum
• eviction
• neighbor

The garden serves as a physical manifestation of Bella's mental and emotional state. Her neglect of the space mirrors her disconnection from the world due to her OCD and creative block. Reviving the garden becomes the catalyst for her self-discovery, forcing her to confront her fear of nature and imperfection. As she nurtures the garden back to life, she simultaneously heals herself.

Foreshadowing: The summary explicitly states the garden reflects her internal chaos from the beginning.

• garden
• OCD
• creative block
• nature
• self-discovery
• healing

Billy, whom Bella meets at the library, sparks her creativity through his imaginative free spirit and whimsical inventions. His infectious optimism and unconventional worldview encourage Bella to embrace her own creativity rather than fear imperfection. Their connection gives her the confidence to pursue writing children's books, directly inspiring the story she eventually publishes.

Foreshadowing: The library scenes early on establish Billy's role as the creative catalyst who helps Bella see the world differently.

• Billy
• library
• creativity
• children's books
• inspiration
• imagination

The summary mentions Bella loses her library job following the storm that destroys her garden, though the specific circumstances aren't detailed. This loss adds to her mounting difficulties, but the film frames it as another challenge she must overcome rather than a permanent setback. Her subsequent success with publishing proves that losing the job was ultimately part of her transformation.

Foreshadowing: The sequence of unfortunate events (job loss, missed date, seeing Billy with another woman) follows directly after the storm destroys her garden.

• library
• job
• unemployment
• storm
• setback

The summary indicates Billy is hospitalized, causing Bella to miss an important date with him. While the specific reason for his hospitalization isn't detailed, the timing suggests it occurs during Bella's lowest point. The woman Bella sees Billy with may be a visitor or someone close to him, though this is presented as a misunderstanding that adds to Bella's emotional distress before the resolution.

Foreshadowing: Bella's despair peaks when she witnesses Billy with another woman, occurring right after her other losses.

• Billy
• hospital
• date
• misunderstanding
• woman

The reveal comes at the end when Bella discovers Alfie was the true owner of her rented home all along. He had been secretly watching over her throughout their friendship, and upon his passing, he wills the property to Bella along with his estate. This revelation explains his deep investment in her wellbeing and his motivation to help her face her challenges.

Foreshadowing: Alfie's persistent involvement in Bella's life seems unusually personal for a neighbor, hinting at a deeper connection.

• Alfie
• home ownership
• landlord
• legacy
• will
• property

Vernon, Alfie's devoted cook, inherits Alfie's estate. His loyalty to Alfie is rewarded, and he continues supporting Bella throughout her journey. Vernon and Alfie's joint effort to complete the garden for Bella demonstrates their genuine friendship, which transcends the typical landlord-tenant relationship.

Foreshadowing: Vernon's devoted presence alongside Alfie suggests a long-standing relationship that would naturally include him in Alfie's legacy.

• Vernon
• Alfie
• estate
• inheritance
• cook
• legacy

After the storm destroys Bella's garden and she suffers multiple setbacks (losing her job, missing her date with Billy), Alfie and Vernon complete the garden as a surprise. This act symbolizes their unconditional support and demonstrates that beauty can emerge from darkness. Their gesture reinforces the film's theme that community and friendship help overcome personal struggles.

Foreshadowing: The garden's destruction coincides with Bella's lowest point, setting up the need for her friends' intervention.

• garden
• storm
• Alfie
• Vernon
• surprise
• friendship
• support

Bella's fear of nature stems from her OCD, which makes her uncomfortable with unpredictability and messiness. The garden project forces her to confront this fear incrementally. With Alfie and Vernon's support, she learns to find beauty in imperfection and chaos. By the end, she not only embraces the garden but also finds inspiration in the natural world's unpredictability for her children's book.

Foreshadowing: Bella's initial neglect of the garden directly reflects her fear of nature and the outside world.

• nature
• fear
• OCD
• garden
• overcoming
• transformation

The picture book Bella publishes is titled "This Beautiful Fantastic," directly reflecting her journey of finding beauty in chaos and imperfection. The title captures the film's central message that fantastic outcomes can emerge from seemingly broken or messy circumstances. It represents Bella's transformation from a troubled spirit fearing the world to someone who celebrates its beautiful imperfections.

Foreshadowing: The garden's transformation from overgrown mess to blooming space mirrors Bella's internal transformation that the book encapsulates.

• book title
• picture book
• publication
• transformation
• beauty
• imperfection

Bella and Billy's relationship blossoms naturally throughout the film, with Billy's creative spirit inspiring Bella's recovery. Though they face obstacles (his hospitalization, Bella seeing him with another woman), their connection proves strong enough to survive these misunderstandings. By the end, Bella finds comfort in Billy's embrace, and their relationship represents the romantic fulfillment that complements her creative and personal success.

Foreshadowing: Their initial meeting at the library establishes an immediate creative and emotional connection.

• Billy
• Bella
• romance
• relationship
• ending
• together