10
A Hollywood songwriter goes through a mid-life crisis and becomes infatuated with a sexy blonde newlywed.
Despite its small-scale budget of $7.0M, 10 became a massive hit, earning $107.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1429% return. The film's distinctive approach attracted moviegoers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
10 (1979) exhibits precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Blake Edwards's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
George Webber
Samantha Taylor
Jenny Hanley
Hugh
Main Cast & Characters
George Webber
Played by Dudley Moore
A successful 42-year-old composer experiencing a midlife crisis who becomes obsessed with a beautiful bride he glimpses.
Samantha Taylor
Played by Julie Andrews
George's longtime girlfriend, a successful singer and actress who struggles with his emotional distance and obsession.
Jenny Hanley
Played by Bo Derek
The beautiful young woman George rates as a perfect "10" and obsessively pursues to Mexico.
Hugh
Played by Robert Webber
George's best friend, a gay neighbor and confidant who provides comic relief and perspective.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes George Webber, successful 42-year-old composer, drives through Beverly Hills in his Rolls Royce, living a life of comfort with girlfriend Samantha Taylor. Despite material success, he's anxious about aging and mortality.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when George glimpses Jenny Hanley in her wedding limousine and becomes instantly obsessed. He rates her as "11" on a scale of 10. This chance encounter disrupts his entire worldview and sends him into obsessive pursuit.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to After a major fight with Samantha, George actively decides to pursue Jenny. He discovers she's honeymooning in Mexico and impulsively books a trip to the same resort, crossing the threshold from fantasy into action., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Jenny's husband is hospitalized, and Jenny invites George to her room. His fantasy seems about to come true—he's finally going to be with the "perfect 10." The stakes raise as fantasy meets potential reality., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, George's fantasy completely dies. After the disappointing encounter with Jenny, he recognizes the emptiness of his obsession. His illusion of the "perfect 10" is dead, and he's left alone, having damaged his real relationship for nothing., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. George has his realization: Samantha, with all her real human qualities, is what he actually needs. He understands that accepting reality and aging is better than chasing impossible ideals. He decides to return home and make things right., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
10's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping 10 against these established plot points, we can identify how Blake Edwards utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish 10 within the comedy genre.
Blake Edwards's Structural Approach
Among the 15 Blake Edwards films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. 10 represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Blake Edwards filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Lake Placid and Cat Ballou. For more Blake Edwards analyses, see Curse of the Pink Panther, Victor/Victoria and Blind Date.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
George Webber, successful 42-year-old composer, drives through Beverly Hills in his Rolls Royce, living a life of comfort with girlfriend Samantha Taylor. Despite material success, he's anxious about aging and mortality.
Theme
George's neighbor mentions "life begins at forty" ironically, and George's dentist talks about the futility of fighting aging. The theme: accepting reality versus chasing impossible ideals of youth and perfection.
Worldbuilding
Establishing George's world: his successful music career, relationship with singer Samantha Taylor, his creative partnership, his neuroses about aging, visits to the dentist, and his comfortable but increasingly unsatisfying life in Los Angeles.
Disruption
George glimpses Jenny Hanley in her wedding limousine and becomes instantly obsessed. He rates her as "11" on a scale of 10. This chance encounter disrupts his entire worldview and sends him into obsessive pursuit.
Resistance
George debates his obsession with his friend and lyricist Hugh, gets into arguments with Samantha about their relationship, tracks down Jenny's identity through detective work at the church, and wrestles with whether to pursue this fantasy.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After a major fight with Samantha, George actively decides to pursue Jenny. He discovers she's honeymooning in Mexico and impulsively books a trip to the same resort, crossing the threshold from fantasy into action.
Mirror World
George meets Mary Lewis, a lonely alcoholic woman at the bar who becomes a thematic mirror. She represents what happens when you chase the wrong dreams—she's living out a fantasy that leaves her empty and alone.
Premise
George in Mexico—the "fun and games" of his pursuit. He stalks Jenny on the beach, rescues her husband from drowning (becoming a hero), gets increasingly entangled in the absurdity of his fantasy while navigating the resort world.
Midpoint
False victory: Jenny's husband is hospitalized, and Jenny invites George to her room. His fantasy seems about to come true—he's finally going to be with the "perfect 10." The stakes raise as fantasy meets potential reality.
Opposition
Reality closes in: Jenny is shallow, vapid, and nothing like George imagined. The fantasy crumbles as he discovers she's not intellectually compatible, their encounter is awkward, and he realizes he's been chasing an illusion. His idealization falls apart.
Collapse
George's fantasy completely dies. After the disappointing encounter with Jenny, he recognizes the emptiness of his obsession. His illusion of the "perfect 10" is dead, and he's left alone, having damaged his real relationship for nothing.
Crisis
George processes his mistakes. He reflects on what he's lost (Samantha), what he's learned (perfection is an illusion), and begins to understand that he had something real and threw it away for a fantasy.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
George has his realization: Samantha, with all her real human qualities, is what he actually needs. He understands that accepting reality and aging is better than chasing impossible ideals. He decides to return home and make things right.
Synthesis
George returns to Los Angeles and goes to Samantha. He apologizes, explains his journey, and attempts to reconcile. He applies his newfound wisdom, accepting his age and the beauty of imperfect, real connection.
Transformation
George and Samantha reunite. Unlike the opening where he was anxious and dissatisfied, George is now at peace, accepting reality. He's learned that the "10" he was chasing was always an illusion—real love is better than fantasy.