A Life Less Ordinary
Ewan McGregor stars as a cleaning man in Los Angeles, who takes his boss' daughter hostage after being fired and replaced by a robot. Two "angels", who are in charge of human relationships on Earth, offer some unsolicited help to bring this unlikely couple together.
Working with a limited budget of $12.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $14.6M in global revenue (+22% profit margin).
1 win & 3 nominations
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%)
A Life Less Ordinary (1997) exhibits strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Danny Boyle's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Robert Lewis
Celine Naville
O'Reilly
Jackson
Naville
Tod Johnson
Main Cast & Characters
Robert Lewis
Played by Ewan McGregor
A down-on-his-luck janitor who kidnaps his boss's daughter after losing his job, seeking ransom but finding unexpected romance.
Celine Naville
Played by Cameron Diaz
A rebellious rich girl who becomes hostage but gradually falls for her captor during their chaotic journey together.
O'Reilly
Played by Holly Hunter
An angel sent from Heaven to make Robert and Celine fall in love, using unconventional and violent methods.
Jackson
Played by Delroy Lindo
O'Reilly's partner angel, skeptical of her methods but committed to their divine mission of matchmaking.
Naville
Played by Ian Holm
Celine's wealthy, controlling father who refuses to pay ransom and dismisses Robert as insignificant.
Tod Johnson
Played by Tony Shalhoub
Robert's replacement at work, an efficient robot who symbolizes Robert's obsolescence in the corporate world.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Angels Gabriel and O'Reilly are dispatched from Heaven with a mission to make two people fall in love, establishing the divine intervention framework that will guide the story.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Robert is fired and replaced by a robot janitor. In his desperation and anger, he impulsively takes Celine hostage at gunpoint, transforming from passive dreamer to accidental criminal.. At 12% 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Robert commits fully to the kidnapping plan and they go on the run together. He crosses the line from impulsive act to deliberate criminal, entering a new world where he and Celine are bound together as fugitives., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth about the angelic intervention is revealed. Robert and Celine realize their love may have been manipulated by divine forces, calling into question everything they've felt. Their relationship appears to die as trust collapses and authenticity is questioned., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Robert and Celine reunite and fight for their relationship against all opposing forces - her father, the angels' interference, and their own doubts. They prove their love is genuine by choosing it freely, satisfying both Heaven and their own hearts., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Life Less Ordinary's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping A Life Less Ordinary against these established plot points, we can identify how Danny Boyle utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Life Less Ordinary within the comedy genre.
Danny Boyle's Structural Approach
Among the 12 Danny Boyle films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. A Life Less Ordinary represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Danny Boyle filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Danny Boyle analyses, see The Beach, T2 Trainspotting and 28 Days Later.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Angels Gabriel and O'Reilly are dispatched from Heaven with a mission to make two people fall in love, establishing the divine intervention framework that will guide the story.
Theme
The theme of fate versus free will is introduced as the angels discuss their assignment, questioning whether love can be manufactured or must be genuine. "You can't make people fall in love."
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Robert, a janitor with dreams of being a writer, working at Celine's father's company. He's replaced by a robot, showing his low status and unfulfilled potential. Celine is established as a wealthy, emotionally distant heiress.
Disruption
Robert is fired and replaced by a robot janitor. In his desperation and anger, he impulsively takes Celine hostage at gunpoint, transforming from passive dreamer to accidental criminal.
Resistance
Robert and Celine negotiate their hostage situation. The angels manipulate events to keep them together. Robert debates what to do, initially wanting ransom but uncertain. Celine is defiant and uncooperative, creating tension.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Robert commits fully to the kidnapping plan and they go on the run together. He crosses the line from impulsive act to deliberate criminal, entering a new world where he and Celine are bound together as fugitives.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the mismatched pair on the run. Robert and Celine engage in increasingly absurd situations while evading Celine's father and the pursuing angels. Their dynamic shifts from hostile to playful as unexpected chemistry develops.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies as Celine's father closes in, the angels become more aggressive in their manipulation, and Robert and Celine begin to suspect their feelings may not be entirely their own. Trust issues emerge and external forces tighten the noose.
Collapse
The truth about the angelic intervention is revealed. Robert and Celine realize their love may have been manipulated by divine forces, calling into question everything they've felt. Their relationship appears to die as trust collapses and authenticity is questioned.
Crisis
Robert and Celine separate in anger and confusion, each processing the revelation that their feelings may not have been genuine. Dark night of emotional uncertainty about what was real and what was manufactured.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Robert and Celine reunite and fight for their relationship against all opposing forces - her father, the angels' interference, and their own doubts. They prove their love is genuine by choosing it freely, satisfying both Heaven and their own hearts.