An American Pickle
A simple Jewish man named Herschel Greenbaum works in a pickle factory in Brooklyn. One day he falls into a vat of brine and stays there, perfectly preserved, for 100 years. He comes back to life and goes to stay with his great-great-grandson, Ben, in contemporary Brooklyn.
1 win & 1 nomination
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%)
An American Pickle (2020) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Brandon Trost's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 29 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Herschel Greenbaum
Ben Greenbaum
Sarah Greenbaum
Main Cast & Characters
Herschel Greenbaum
Played by Seth Rogen
An Eastern European Jewish immigrant who falls into a pickle vat in 1920 and wakes up perfectly preserved 100 years later in modern Brooklyn.
Ben Greenbaum
Played by Seth Rogen
Herschel's great-grandson, a mild-mannered app developer struggling to find success, who must navigate his relationship with his suddenly-alive ancestor.
Sarah Greenbaum
Played by Sarah Snook
Herschel's beloved wife in 1920s Eastern Europe, whose dream of a better life in America motivates Herschel's journey.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes 1919 Schlupsk: Herschel Greenbaum lives in poverty in Eastern Europe, digging ditches, dreaming of a better life in America. He meets Sarah, falls in love, and they marry.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Factory accident: Herschel falls into a vat of pickles and is perfectly preserved in brine. The vat is sealed and forgotten. Sarah, pregnant, waits for him but he never returns home.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Herschel chooses to meet his only living relative: great-grandson Ben Greenbaum, a Brooklyn app developer. Herschel decides to embrace this new world and build a relationship with his last family member., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: Their relationship fractures completely. Herschel makes insensitive comments about Ben's parents' death. Ben, hurt and angry, sabotages Herschel by revealing old-world views to media. Herschel is "cancelled" and loses everything., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (71% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Herschel, back in Schlupsk (now in ruins), visits the mass grave where his family is buried. He breaks down at the cemetery, confronting the death of everyone he loved and the meaninglessness of his feud with his only living family., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ben flies to Schlupsk to find Herschel. They reconcile at the cemetery, acknowledging their mistakes. They realize family is what matters, not success or pride. The synthesis of old and new world values through forgiveness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
An American Pickle'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 An American Pickle against these established plot points, we can identify how Brandon Trost utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish An American Pickle within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
1919 Schlupsk: Herschel Greenbaum lives in poverty in Eastern Europe, digging ditches, dreaming of a better life in America. He meets Sarah, falls in love, and they marry.
Theme
Herschel and Sarah discuss their dreams for America and family: "We'll work hard and build something for our family." The theme of legacy and what we leave behind is established.
Worldbuilding
Herschel and Sarah emigrate to America in 1920. They arrive in Brooklyn, find work at a pickle factory. Sarah is pregnant. Their life is hard but hopeful as they build their American dream together.
Disruption
Factory accident: Herschel falls into a vat of pickles and is perfectly preserved in brine. The vat is sealed and forgotten. Sarah, pregnant, waits for him but he never returns home.
Resistance
100 years pass (shown in montage). The factory is demolished in present day Brooklyn. Workers discover Herschel, perfectly preserved, still alive. Scientists examine him, media frenzy ensues. Herschel learns Sarah died long ago and must process this grief.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Herschel chooses to meet his only living relative: great-grandson Ben Greenbaum, a Brooklyn app developer. Herschel decides to embrace this new world and build a relationship with his last family member.
Mirror World
Ben and Herschel bond over their shared loneliness and family connection. Ben shows Herschel modern Brooklyn. Their relationship represents the thematic heart: family across time, old values vs new.
Premise
Herschel starts a pickle business using old-world methods, becomes an artisanal success and social media sensation. Ben's app development struggles. Initial harmony gives way to jealousy and competition as Herschel's success overshadows Ben.
Midpoint
False defeat: Their relationship fractures completely. Herschel makes insensitive comments about Ben's parents' death. Ben, hurt and angry, sabotages Herschel by revealing old-world views to media. Herschel is "cancelled" and loses everything.
Opposition
Herschel and Ben become bitter enemies, each trying to destroy the other. Escalating warfare: Herschel gets Ben's app pulled from stores, Ben gets Herschel deported. Their feud goes viral. Both are consumed by revenge, losing sight of what matters.
Collapse
Herschel, back in Schlupsk (now in ruins), visits the mass grave where his family is buried. He breaks down at the cemetery, confronting the death of everyone he loved and the meaninglessness of his feud with his only living family.
Crisis
Both Herschel and Ben separately reflect on their loneliness and mistakes. They process their grief and anger, realizing they've destroyed the one meaningful relationship each had. The dark night before reconciliation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ben flies to Schlupsk to find Herschel. They reconcile at the cemetery, acknowledging their mistakes. They realize family is what matters, not success or pride. The synthesis of old and new world values through forgiveness.
Synthesis
Herschel and Ben return to Brooklyn as family. They work together combining old and new: Herschel helps Ben with his app, teaching him about legacy and perseverance. Ben helps Herschel understand the modern world. Both are transformed.
Transformation
Final image mirrors opening: Herschel and Ben together in Brooklyn, no longer alone. They've built the family connection Herschel dreamed of in 1919. The legacy continues not through pickles or apps, but through relationship.