Flubber
Having already missed his wedding to his beautiful sweetheart, Sara, twice, the happy, absent-minded professor, Dr Phillip Brainard, is struggling to come up with a brilliant invention to save Medfield College from closure. However, as good things come to those who wait, the eccentric inventor stumbles upon an innovative but highly unstable formula for "Flubber", a mysterious rubber-like hybrid elastomer that can lift objects, bouncing and stretching as if it had a mind of its own. Of course, this unique but untamed creation catches the attention of a ruthless rival who is bent on getting his hands on the extraordinary substance. But first, he will have to catch it. Can Dr Brainard protect his invention?
Despite a significant budget of $80.0M, Flubber became a commercial success, earning $178.0M worldwide—a 123% return.
3 wins & 2 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Flubber (1997) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Les Mayfield's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Professor Brainard, disheveled and distracted, works obsessively in his lab while missing his own wedding. His fiancée Sara waits at the altar, showing his pattern of choosing work over relationships.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Brainard accidentally creates Flubber, a sentient green goo with extraordinary energy properties. This discovery could save the college and represents his chance at redemption.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Brainard decides to use Flubber to win back Sara and save Medfield College. He applies Flubber to his car and flies to Sara's house, choosing to actively pursue both his relationship and his discovery., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Wilson Croft and his partner Bennett discover Flubber and plot to steal it. The stakes raise as external threats emerge, and Sara continues to pull away, dating Croft. False defeat: things seem to be falling apart., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Weebo is destroyed by the thugs while trying to protect Brainard and Flubber. Her "death" represents the loss of unconditional love and loyalty, forcing Brainard to confront what he's taken for granted., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Brainard realizes that saving the college and winning Sara require him to be fully present and fight for what matters. He synthesizes his scientific knowledge with newfound emotional awareness, ready for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Flubber's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Flubber against these established plot points, we can identify how Les Mayfield utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Flubber within the comedy genre.
Les Mayfield's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Les Mayfield films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Flubber takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Les Mayfield filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Les Mayfield analyses, see Blue Streak, Code Name: The Cleaner and Encino Man.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Professor Brainard, disheveled and distracted, works obsessively in his lab while missing his own wedding. His fiancée Sara waits at the altar, showing his pattern of choosing work over relationships.
Theme
Weebo, Brainard's sentient robot, displays her unrequited love for him, establishing the theme: love requires presence and attention, not just intelligence or good intentions.
Worldbuilding
Medfield College faces financial ruin and closure. Brainard is introduced as a brilliant but absent-minded professor who has left Sara at the altar twice before. His work obsession and social obliviousness are established.
Disruption
Brainard accidentally creates Flubber, a sentient green goo with extraordinary energy properties. This discovery could save the college and represents his chance at redemption.
Resistance
Brainard experiments with Flubber, discovering its properties while Weebo tries to make him understand he needs to fix things with Sara. He debates whether to pursue the scientific discovery or repair his relationship.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Brainard decides to use Flubber to win back Sara and save Medfield College. He applies Flubber to his car and flies to Sara's house, choosing to actively pursue both his relationship and his discovery.
Mirror World
Sara rejects Brainard's apology and is pursued by rival Wilson Croft. This relationship subplot mirrors the theme: Sara needs someone who will actually be present, not just promise to be.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Flubber: flying cars, basketball games won with Flubber-enhanced shoes, and elaborate attempts to win Sara back. Brainard demonstrates Flubber's potential while still not understanding what Sara truly needs.
Midpoint
Wilson Croft and his partner Bennett discover Flubber and plot to steal it. The stakes raise as external threats emerge, and Sara continues to pull away, dating Croft. False defeat: things seem to be falling apart.
Opposition
Croft and Bennett's thugs repeatedly attempt to steal Flubber. Brainard remains oblivious to Sara's true needs, still thinking grand gestures and scientific achievement will win her back. The college's financial crisis deepens.
Collapse
Weebo is destroyed by the thugs while trying to protect Brainard and Flubber. Her "death" represents the loss of unconditional love and loyalty, forcing Brainard to confront what he's taken for granted.
Crisis
Brainard mourns Weebo and processes his loss. He discovers her hidden recordings revealing her love for him, finally understanding the cost of his inattention and emotional absence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Brainard realizes that saving the college and winning Sara require him to be fully present and fight for what matters. He synthesizes his scientific knowledge with newfound emotional awareness, ready for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Brainard defeats the thugs using Flubber, exposes Croft's schemes, saves the college with his invention, and finally shows up for Sara—not with grand gestures, but with genuine presence and commitment.
Transformation
Brainard and Sara marry with Brainard fully present and attentive. Weebo's "daughter" (a smaller robot with her consciousness backup) observes, showing that love and presence have been learned and will continue.