
Synopsis/Details
In Los Angeles, a shy, submissive brunette, CYNTHIA is knocked out by her abusive fiancé, DENNIS. When she comes to, it is soon obvious that Cynthia has changed. She stands up to Dennis by pulling a gun on him and ruins his expensive suit with a bullet hole before escaping. Engagement over!
With an incredible makeover, Cynthia makes her San Francisco Bay Area debut as a stunning blonde calling herself Jennifer. She catches the eye of a newly unattached RON. After a few frustrating attempts to meet her, Ron rescues Cynthia from a couple of teen pranksters "terrorizing" her walk home from work. Meanwhile, Dennis has his minions searching for Cynthia.
After things get serious, a few unsettling incidents involving his new girl friend raise doubts about her. A speeding Cynthia passes by a hidden police car, which takes off after her. Instead of pulling over, she floors it with her frantic roommate, a helpless passenger. After a high-speed chase weaving through traffic, Cynthia manages to escape.
At Ron's party, Cynthia's roommate spills about the hot pursuit. Later, while retrieving Cynthia's purse from his bedroom, Ron drops it and out pops a gun and wallet. Some amateur sleuthing confirms his suspicion that Cynthia's driver's license is fake.
After a confrontation with Cynthia almost results in a break up, Ron goes to Los Angeles to dig deeper. There, he finds the real JENNIFER and learns that his Jennifer is actually her best friend, Cynthia. Dennis has surveillance on the real Jennifer, and has Ron followed back home.
Ron finds out that Cynthia may have a mental condition that caused her to assume her best friend's identity and personality without knowing that she had done so. Despite the fact that she may change back to her own identity at any time, Ron convinces himself that she is better off staying there with him, and decides not to do anything.
Apparently Ron has changed his mind, because Cynthia's father and the real Jennifer show up to take Cynthia home. Learning that Ron called them, Cynthia feels betrayed. She uses her gun to get away, but runs right into Dennis and his goons. Ron disrupts their reunion, allowing Cynthia to escape. Dennis chases her into the street where she is hit by a car. When Cynthia comes to, she has reverted to her own identity with no memory of Ron or her time as Jennifer.
One year later, a hot brunette Cynthia walks into the club where Ron and his friends are having drinks. When she denies knowing who he is, Ron is devastated. After Cynthia leaves, Ron notices that she left her phone on the bar. He grabs it and runs out after her.
After returning her phone, Cynthia asks Ron if he would like to go someplace and talk. She starts heading for his car before he can point it out. Cynthia remembers everything, but she suggests they take it slow. However, after looking into each others’ eyes, Cynthia jumps into Ron's arms, and they kiss passionately.
All Accolades & Coverage
Phony Jennifer earned me one of 32 invitations out of 3,123 script submissions to join Absurd Hero Productions’ Get It Made program.
Phony Jennifer was selected as a production finalist by the Open Door Film Project (2021).
Story & Logistics
Story Type:
Hero's Journey
Story Situation:
Obstacles to love
Story Conclusion:
Happy
Linear Structure:
Linear
Moral Affections:
Good Man, Selfishness
Cast Size:
Several
Locations:
Many
Characters
Lead Role Ages:
Female Young Adult, Male Young Adult
Hero Type:
Ordinary
Villian Type:
Bully, Mother Nature
Advanced
Subgenre:
Comedy, Romantic
Action Elements:
Hand to Hand Combat, Vehicular Stunts
Time Period:
Contemporary times
Country:
United States of America (USA)
Relationship Topics:
Abuse, Abusive relationship, Boyfriend, Courtship, Dating, Girlfriend, Love, Meet market, Partner(s), Romance
Writer Style:
Aaron Sorkin