Modern Problems 1981

Here’s my rephrased version:

Max Fiedler (Chevy Chase) is stuck in a rut as an air traffic controller at New York’s Kennedy International Airport, with his personal life mirroring the chaos on the tarmac. His girlfriend Darcy has recently cut ties due to his possessiveness and pessimism, leaving Max feeling drained and directionless. The constant reminders of their breakup come in the form of encounters with Barry, her new beau, whose self-absorption only adds fuel to Max’s frustration. A chance encounter at a Lower Manhattan nightclub, which surprisingly turned out to be a gay club, sets off a chain reaction when a tanker truck spills nuclear waste onto his car. As he drives home, some of the substance seeps into his skin through his sunroof, temporarily bathing him in an eerie green glow before it absorbs into his pores. The next day, Max discovers that his exposure has granted him telekinetic abilities. Initially, he uses this newfound power to wreak havoc on Barry’s attempts to win Darcy over, but as the days pass, Max finds himself regaining confidence and slowly winning back Darcy’s affections.

However, just as things start to look up, Max is invited to spend a weekend at the beach house of Brian (Brian Doyle-Murray), an old friend who has adapted to life as a paraplegic. The guest list also includes Mark Winslow (Dabney Coleman), a self-proclaimed guru of self-confidence and womanizer extraordinaire. As Winslow sets his sights on Darcy, he takes great pleasure in belittling Max’s claims of possessing telekinetic powers. Meanwhile, the skepticism from those around him and Winslow’s relentless barrage of insults gradually chip away at Max’s resolve, leaving him feeling dejected and defeated.

It isn’t until a dramatic turn of events during a dinner party that Max finally loses his cool, showcasing his telekinetic abilities in a humiliating display against Winslow. Consumed by shame and self-doubt, Max seeks solace on the rooftop of Brian’s house as a thunderstorm brews on the horizon. A bolt of lightning strikes him at precisely the right moment, inadvertently transferring his powers to Dorita (Nell Carter), the voodoo-practicing maid who has been watching from the shadows. As the truth about his erratic behavior slowly sinks in, Darcy finally forgives Max and he’s convinced that she truly loves him.