A Date with Miss Fortune 2015

Diner meet-cute: Jack sits near Maria

In a diner, Jack Radner, recently laid off and chasing inspiration, asks to sit near Maria Monis after catching a glimpse of his ex-wife Meghan. Maria plays along at first to stir jealousy, but the conversation becomes genuine as they start to know each other. The encounter hints that their connection will shape the story of their lives as the film shifts between present and future.

First date and boundaries

On their first date, Maria insists on taking things slowly and won’t let Jack kiss her, let alone invite intimacy. Jack clings to his skepticism about long-term commitment, even as he shares clips of his exes' annoying habits to remind himself. Maria reveals a religious side that contrasts with his secular outlook.

Maria moves in and transforms Jack's place

A short time after they begin dating, Maria tearfully tells Jack she may have to move back with her parents, and he invites her to stay. Soon her belongings begin to fill and transform his home as they settle in together. The arrangement hints at how their lives will increasingly intertwine despite the friction between them.

A moment of self-defense reveals a superstition

One night, when Jack quietly approaches Maria, she knocks him down in self-defense after she feels threatened. Earlier, she spills salt over her shoulder, signaling her superstition has taken a firmer hold. This incident marks a turning point in how their shared space becomes a site of superstition and control.

Senhora Maria and the haunting

Maria often consults Senhora Maria, whom she presents as a therapist but who is really a fortune-telling medium. The fortune teller believes they must rid the home of evil spirits, and Jack plays along as the dynamic deepens. The presence of Senhora Maria foreshadows how the couple's decisions will be influenced by unseen forces.

A tidal wave of in-laws arrives

Maria's large family visits and brings chaos, with her father skeptical of Jack's job as a sitcom writer while her mother and relatives add pressure and warmth. The overwhelming crowd tests their relationship and exposes cultural and personal fault lines. After the visit, Jack proposes to Maria, signaling a deeper commitment despite the tensions.

Wilson's concern about creativity

Wilson tracks down the absentee Jack and discovers he is now engaged and living with Maria. He warns that Jack's creativity dries up when he is in a relationship, highlighting a personal cost of their bond. The moment underscores the tension between artistic ambition and domestic happiness.

The break-up after the Portuguese family visit

Back home, the couple argues as Jack remains skeptical about belief and superstition. Maria’s family visit exposes the depth of familial pressure and the clash of values. After the confrontation, the couple breaks up, unable to reconcile their differences.

Pregnancy shocks the timeline

While Jack throws himself into writing, Maria tells her mother she is pregnant and that Senhora Maria was the reason their relationship ended. She initially refuses to listen to the psychic, seeking a more rational truth, which fuels further conflict. The pregnancy becomes the emotional focal point that changes the dynamic between them.

Pilot epiphany and a misreading of love

During the pilot shoot, Jack experiences an epiphany about destiny and their future together. He leaves the set to find Maria at her parents' home. He confronts Senhora Maria, who won't help, so he kidnaps her to bring her to Maria, and together they confront the truth and reconcile.

Labor and home birth of Isabela

Maria goes into labor and plans a home birth with a midwife, but the midwife is unavailable. Her ex-fiancé, a Portuguese doctor, helps deliver the baby at home, and they name her Isabela. The birth seals their commitment and opens a new chapter for their evolving relationship.