Making Mr. Right (1987)

46% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(2,231 ratings)

This sci-fi comedy from Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) director Susan Seidelman stars John Malkovich along with several other actors from his Steppenwolf Theatre troupe in Chicago. Malkovich stars as Dr. Jeff Peters, a scientist for the Chemtech Corporation who has invented an affable robotic… More This sci-fi comedy from Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) director Susan Seidelman stars John Malkovich along with several other actors from his Steppenwolf Theatre troupe in Chicago. Malkovich stars as Dr. Jeff Peters, a scientist for the Chemtech Corporation who has invented an affable robotic clone of himself named Ulysses (also played by Malkovich). Unfortunately, Jeff is long on brains but short on personality or warmth, leaving his double an empty vessel, emotionally speaking. Believing that if Ulysses only had a bit more spark he could be utilized as a publicity gimmick and fundraising tool, Chemtech sends public relations executive Frankie Stone (Ann Magnuson) to train him in the ways of the heart and human interaction. What Frankie ends up with, however, is her own personal version of the perfect mate. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Susan Seidelman
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Jan 7, 2003
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin, New York Times
Adds up to somewhat less than the sum of its parts, but the parts are often delightful, particularly when Ms. Seidelman keeps them moving at a sufficiently furious pace.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Screenwriters Floyd Byars and Laurie Frank's flapjack-flat characters meander through a slack plot that aims to address love between life-forms.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
A smart, quick witted, wicked and genuinely funny movie.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The film's fake feminist message is at its most cyncial: Real men are repulsive but androids (created by women) are sweet, sensitive, and open-minded.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
One of the more enjoyable of the indie comedies of the 80s, as much a product of its time as Woodstock was of its own.
Janet Branagan, Apollo Guide
Just like any other saturated formula, its joke wears thin after the first hour or so.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Lightweight but amusing
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
A one-joke comedy that's buoyed by a handful of great performances.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

A beautiful story of a woman (Ann Magnuson) falling in love with an android (John Malkovich), who is scheduled to go up on a space mission. The Turtles make it better with their "Happy Together" song.
Michael G

I watched this dozens of times when I was a tween and liked it for some reason. Watching it twenty years later merely proves how dated it is and how bad it was to begin with. Malkovich is alright in a dual role and does some random, goofy and sometimes very entertaining and funny… More
I watched this dozens of times when I was a tween and liked it for some reason. Watching it twenty years later merely proves how dated it is and how bad it was to begin with. Malkovich is alright in a dual role and does some random, goofy and sometimes very entertaining and funny things. The story's nothing great and watching it again years later just proves that nothing's as good as you remember it to be. A star for Malkovich and a star for the memories.
Bill C

People are defined by the bad things that happen to them in lives. This exceptionally low budget pic makes up for the lack of visual flare with a great intellectual concept and Malkovich in dual roles. The bad part of this movie is Malkovich does an excellent job of portraying a… More
People are defined by the bad things that happen to them in lives. This exceptionally low budget pic makes up for the lack of visual flare with a great intellectual concept and Malkovich in dual roles. The bad part of this movie is Malkovich does an excellent job of portraying a genius scientist which will in all probability bore the general public. Anne Magnuson in her only chance I’ve seen as a leading role gives it her all and it’s very enjoyable. Highly recommended if you live an examined life.
Leo L

Funny!

Cast

            Ann Magnuson as Frankie Stone

            John Malkovich as Dr. Jeff Peters/Ulysses

            Glenne Headly as Trish

            Ben Masters as Congressman Steve Marcus

            Laurie Metcalf as Sandy

            Polly Bergen as Estelle Stone

            Hart Bochner as Don

            Harsh Nayyar as Dr. Ravi Ramdas

            Susan Anton
            
            Sidney Armus as Jeweler

            Susan Berman as Ivy Stone

            Ken Ceresne as Wedding Photographer

            Christian Clemenson as Bruce Cohn

            Polly Draper as Suzy Duncan

            Merwin Goldsmith as Moe Glickstein

            John Hambrick as TV Anchorman

            James Murtaugh as Mission Control

            Gerald Owens as Ulysses Photographer

            Sid Raymond as Manny

            Donna Rosae as Kitchen Maid

            Robert Trebor as Tux Salesman

            D. Kevin Williams as Valet Parker

            Chick Bernhardt as Stunt

            Ruth Bullen as Reporter

            Harry Chase as NASA Film Announcer

            Bob Dela Cruz as Marcus Promo Announcer

            Roy Datz as Hector's Uncle

            Sherry Diamont as Receptionist

            P.B. Floyd as Station Wagon Driver

            Janice Frank as Estelle's Friend

            Ruthe Geier as Chemtec Receptionist

            Ralph Gunderman as Mechanical Guard

            Trip Hamiton as Photo Double

            Mike Hanly as Skippy

            Stanley Kirk as Angry Driver

            Garitt Kono as Valet Parker

            Susan Lichtman as Newscaster

            Clayton Ludovitch as Mall Shopper

            Jill Mallorie as Teenage Girl

            Eve Mash as Teenage Girl

            Stephen McFarland as Reporter

            Alan B. Minor as Himself

            Mr. Mike as Robot

            Joe Ramirez as Ramon Hernandez

            Luisa Rodruguez as Essie Hernandez

            Steve Rondianro as Newscaster

            Ronnie Rosado as Hector

            Frank Sangineto as Lupe Rodriguez

            Tom Schwartz as Reporter

            Michael Seidelman as Reporter

            Guy Trusty as Himself
See full cast