A Lot Like Love
On a flight from Los Angeles to New York, Oliver and Emily make a connection, only to decide that they are poorly suited to be together. Over the next seven years, however, they are reunited time and time again, they go from being acquaintances to close friends to... lovers?
Working with a mid-range budget of $30.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $42.9M in global revenue (+43% profit margin).
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 Lot Like Love (2005) reveals meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Nigel Cole's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Oliver Martin
Emily Friehl
Graham Martin
Jeeter
Main Cast & Characters
Oliver Martin
Played by Ashton Kutcher
An aspiring internet entrepreneur who meets Emily on a flight and reconnects with her over seven years.
Emily Friehl
Played by Amanda Peet
A spontaneous aspiring photographer who develops a deep connection with Oliver across multiple chance encounters.
Graham Martin
Played by Kal Penn
Oliver's brother and best friend who provides comic relief and relationship advice.
Jeeter
Played by Jeremy Sisto
Oliver's friend and business partner who supports his entrepreneurial ventures.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Oliver on airplane to New York, returning home for New Year's, focused on his business plans and practical goals. Shows him as cautious, plan-oriented, not looking for romance.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Three years later, Oliver unexpectedly sees Emily singing at a bar in Los Angeles. This chance reunion disrupts his ordered life and reignites their connection, pulling him back into her orbit despite his girlfriend.. 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 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Oliver chooses to return to his girlfriend instead of staying with Emily on New Year's. Active choice to stick with his safe, planned life rather than risk the uncertain connection with Emily. They agree to be "friends."., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Oliver and Emily finally sleep together on a road trip. They seem to be finally getting together. But immediately after, both get scared - Oliver retreats to his plans, Emily to her freedom. The intimacy raises the stakes but drives them apart., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Oliver finds out Emily is engaged to another man. The "whiff of death" - his chance with her dies. He realizes he's lost her by waiting, by sticking to his plan instead of taking a risk. She's moving on with someone who could commit., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Oliver's sister or friend helps him realize he needs to fight for Emily, that timing isn't fate - you make your own timing. Synthesis: combining his planning skills with Emily's spontaneity lesson. He decides to act instead of waiting for perfect moment., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Lot Like Love'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 A Lot Like Love against these established plot points, we can identify how Nigel Cole utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Lot Like Love within the comedy genre.
Nigel Cole's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Nigel Cole films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. A Lot Like Love takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Nigel Cole filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Nigel Cole analyses, see Calendar Girls, Saving Grace and Made in Dagenham.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Oliver on airplane to New York, returning home for New Year's, focused on his business plans and practical goals. Shows him as cautious, plan-oriented, not looking for romance.
Theme
Emily states the theme during their airplane bathroom encounter: "You can't plan everything." She challenges his rigid approach to life and love, suggesting spontaneity and timing matter more than control.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Oliver as goal-driven entrepreneur planning internet business; Emily as free-spirited aspiring singer. Their chemistry on the flight, awkward bathroom encounter, sharing cab. Oliver tries to kiss her but she's in a relationship. They exchange numbers but she doesn't call.
Disruption
Three years later, Oliver unexpectedly sees Emily singing at a bar in Los Angeles. This chance reunion disrupts his ordered life and reignites their connection, pulling him back into her orbit despite his girlfriend.
Resistance
Oliver debates pursuing Emily while committed to someone else. They reconnect as friends, spending New Year's Eve together. Their timing is off - he has girlfriend, she's single. Wrestling with whether to pursue real connection or stick to safe plan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Oliver chooses to return to his girlfriend instead of staying with Emily on New Year's. Active choice to stick with his safe, planned life rather than risk the uncertain connection with Emily. They agree to be "friends."
Mirror World
Two years later, Emily calls Oliver when she breaks up with boyfriend. Their friendship deepens as she moves to Los Angeles. She represents the thematic opposite of his controlled life - spontaneity, passion, living in the moment.
Premise
The "will they/won't they" premise plays out. Oliver and Emily grow closer as friends while pursuing other relationships. Road trips, late night talks, supporting each other's dreams. Each time they get close, timing interferes. The promise: watching two people meant for each other navigate years of near-misses.
Midpoint
False victory: Oliver and Emily finally sleep together on a road trip. They seem to be finally getting together. But immediately after, both get scared - Oliver retreats to his plans, Emily to her freedom. The intimacy raises the stakes but drives them apart.
Opposition
Their connection fractures. Emily pursues her music career, Oliver focuses on business. Both date other people seriously. Their timing gets worse. Oliver's rigidity and fear of losing control prevents him from admitting his feelings. Emily's need for freedom keeps her from committing. Years pass with increasing distance.
Collapse
Oliver finds out Emily is engaged to another man. The "whiff of death" - his chance with her dies. He realizes he's lost her by waiting, by sticking to his plan instead of taking a risk. She's moving on with someone who could commit.
Crisis
Oliver processes the loss. Dark night of the soul where he confronts his fear of spontaneity and realizes his controlling nature has cost him the one person who mattered. He reviews their history and recognizes the pattern of his avoidance.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Oliver's sister or friend helps him realize he needs to fight for Emily, that timing isn't fate - you make your own timing. Synthesis: combining his planning skills with Emily's spontaneity lesson. He decides to act instead of waiting for perfect moment.
Synthesis
Oliver pursues Emily, crashes her engagement, confesses his love. Grand romantic gesture combining planning (finding her) with spontaneity (risking rejection). Emily must choose between safe engagement and uncertain love with Oliver. Resolution of their seven-year dance.
Transformation
Final image mirrors opening airplane scene. Oliver and Emily together, no longer bound by rigid plans or fear of commitment. They've both transformed - he's learned spontaneity, she's learned commitment. Their timing is finally right because they made it right.