Another Stakeout
Chris and Bill are called upon for their excellent surveillance record to stakeout a lakeside home where a Mafia trial witness is believed to be heading or already hiding. Unlike their earlier _Stakeout_, this time they are accompanied by Gina Garret from the DA's office and her pet rottweiler 'Archie'; their cover, husband and wife with son Bill.
Working with a mid-range budget of $30.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $30.0M in global revenue (+0% 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%)
Another Stakeout (1993) exhibits meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of John Badham's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Chris Lecce
Bill Reimers
Gina Garrett
Maria McGuire
Brian O'Hara
Lu Delano
Tony Castellano
Main Cast & Characters
Chris Lecce
Played by Richard Dreyfuss
Wisecracking Seattle detective on another stakeout assignment with his partner.
Bill Reimers
Played by Emilio Estevez
Chris's straight-laced partner who balances his antics with discipline.
Gina Garrett
Played by Rosie O'Donnell
Tough assistant DA assigned to the stakeout who becomes romantically involved.
Maria McGuire
Played by Marcia Strassman
Woman under witness protection whose home becomes the stakeout base.
Brian O'Hara
Played by Dennis Farina
Mobster witness who escaped protection and is being hunted.
Lu Delano
Played by Miguel Ferrer
Dangerous mob enforcer hunting down Brian O'Hara.
Tony Castellano
Played by Cathy Moriarty
Mob boss seeking revenge on the escaped witness.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Chris Lecce and Bill Reimers are shown in their routine as Seattle police detectives, comfortable in their partnership but complacent in their methods.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The detectives are informed that key witness Lu Delano has disappeared and they must find her before mob hitmen do. Assistant DA Gina Garrett is assigned to join their operation.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The trio arrives at the upscale island community and commits to their cover as a vacationing family - the O'Haras - beginning their surveillance operation in the new world., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The team identifies Lu Delano's location and makes contact with her. False victory - they believe the mission is nearly complete and their teamwork has paid off., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The mob discovers their location and launches an attack. The team is separated, Lu is in immediate danger, and it appears the mission has failed completely. Their cover is blown., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The team synthesizes their skills and knowledge - combining Bill's by-the-book approach, Chris's street smarts, and Gina's legal expertise - to form a unified plan to rescue Lu and stop the hitmen., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Another Stakeout'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 Another Stakeout against these established plot points, we can identify how John Badham utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Another Stakeout within the comedy genre.
John Badham's Structural Approach
Among the 11 John Badham films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Another Stakeout takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Badham filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more John Badham analyses, see Nick of Time, Saturday Night Fever and Drop Zone.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Chris Lecce and Bill Reimers are shown in their routine as Seattle police detectives, comfortable in their partnership but complacent in their methods.
Theme
A superior remarks that the detectives need to learn to work with others and adapt to new situations - foreshadowing the forced partnership with Gina.
Worldbuilding
The world of Seattle police work is established. We see Chris and Bill's dynamic partnership, their history together, and the high-stakes witness protection case involving Lu Delano and mob boss Tony Castellano.
Disruption
The detectives are informed that key witness Lu Delano has disappeared and they must find her before mob hitmen do. Assistant DA Gina Garrett is assigned to join their operation.
Resistance
Chris and Bill resist the assignment and especially object to working with Gina. They debate the mission parameters, clash over the undercover family concept, and reluctantly prepare for the stakeout.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The trio arrives at the upscale island community and commits to their cover as a vacationing family - the O'Haras - beginning their surveillance operation in the new world.
Mirror World
Gina begins to prove herself capable and resourceful despite the men's initial dismissiveness. The forced "family" dynamic becomes the vehicle for exploring trust and cooperation.
Premise
Comic set pieces as the mismatched trio navigates suburban life while conducting surveillance. They attend neighborhood functions, deal with nosy neighbors, and the dog Archie causes chaos while they search for Lu.
Midpoint
The team identifies Lu Delano's location and makes contact with her. False victory - they believe the mission is nearly complete and their teamwork has paid off.
Opposition
Mob hitmen close in on the island. The team's cover is increasingly compromised. Internal conflicts resurface under pressure. Lu proves difficult to protect as danger escalates from multiple directions.
Collapse
The mob discovers their location and launches an attack. The team is separated, Lu is in immediate danger, and it appears the mission has failed completely. Their cover is blown.
Crisis
In the aftermath of the attack, the team must regroup. Chris and Bill acknowledge Gina's contributions and their own failures. They process what went wrong and what they've learned about working together.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The team synthesizes their skills and knowledge - combining Bill's by-the-book approach, Chris's street smarts, and Gina's legal expertise - to form a unified plan to rescue Lu and stop the hitmen.
Synthesis
The climactic confrontation unfolds. Working as a true team, Chris, Bill, and Gina execute their plan. Action sequences lead to the defeat of the mob assassins and the successful protection of witness Lu Delano.
Transformation
The trio celebrates their success with genuine camaraderie. Chris and Bill acknowledge Gina as a true partner. The once-reluctant team has become a family in spirit - transformed from isolated egos to collaborative unit.