Autumn in New York
Will Keane, a Manhattan restaurateur, is content with his playboy lifestyle until he meets Charlotte Fielding, a free-spirited young woman. Together the pair pursue a passionate affair that forces them both to reevaluate what they want out of life, even as fate threatens to steal away their future.
Working with a mid-range budget of $65.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $90.7M in global revenue (+40% 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%)
Autumn in New York (2000) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Joan Chen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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
Will Keane
Charlotte Fielding
Sarah
John
Main Cast & Characters
Will Keane
Played by Richard Gere
A wealthy, aging restaurateur and serial womanizer who falls unexpectedly in love with a younger woman facing a terminal illness.
Charlotte Fielding
Played by Winona Ryder
A spirited 22-year-old woman with a terminal heart condition who pursues a relationship with an older man despite knowing her time is limited.
Sarah
Played by Elaine Stritch
Will's ex-girlfriend and Charlotte's grandmother, who reluctantly reveals family secrets that connect the lovers.
John
Played by Anthony LaPaglia
Will's business partner and longtime friend who observes his transformation through this unconventional relationship.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Will Keane is shown as a successful, commitment-phobic Manhattan restaurateur living a superficial life of serial dating and emotional detachment.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Will meets Charlotte Fielding, a vibrant 22-year-old woman, at a dinner party and is immediately struck by her different energy and authenticity.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Will actively chooses to pursue a genuine relationship with Charlotte, asking her on a real date and opening himself to the possibility of authentic connection., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Charlotte collapses or reveals she has a terminal heart condition. The stakes shift dramatically—this isn't just about love, but about mortality and losing what Will has finally found., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Charlotte's health deteriorates critically, or she confronts Will about his emotional retreat. The relationship and Charlotte's life hang in the balance. Death becomes imminent., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Will realizes that loving Charlotte fully, even with the certainty of loss, is better than a lifetime of empty safety. He chooses to be present for whatever time remains., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Autumn in New York'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 Autumn in New York against these established plot points, we can identify how Joan Chen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Autumn in New York within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Will Keane is shown as a successful, commitment-phobic Manhattan restaurateur living a superficial life of serial dating and emotional detachment.
Theme
Will's friend or colleague remarks that some people spend their whole lives avoiding real connection, hinting at the cost of emotional unavailability.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Will's glamorous but empty lifestyle, his restaurant business, his pattern of dating younger women without commitment, and his cynical view of love and relationships.
Disruption
Will meets Charlotte Fielding, a vibrant 22-year-old woman, at a dinner party and is immediately struck by her different energy and authenticity.
Resistance
Will pursues Charlotte despite their age difference and his usual pattern. Charlotte resists initially, aware of his reputation, but is drawn to him. Will debates whether to pursue something real.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Will actively chooses to pursue a genuine relationship with Charlotte, asking her on a real date and opening himself to the possibility of authentic connection.
Mirror World
Charlotte reveals her youthful optimism, creativity, and different worldview, representing the emotional authenticity and vulnerability Will has avoided his entire life.
Premise
The romance blossoms as Will and Charlotte explore New York together. He experiences genuine joy and emotional connection. They fall deeply in love, and Will begins to transform.
Midpoint
Charlotte collapses or reveals she has a terminal heart condition. The stakes shift dramatically—this isn't just about love, but about mortality and losing what Will has finally found.
Opposition
Will struggles with Charlotte's illness. His fear of loss resurfaces his old patterns of emotional withdrawal. Charlotte's condition worsens. Will must confront his deepest fear: caring deeply and losing.
Collapse
Charlotte's health deteriorates critically, or she confronts Will about his emotional retreat. The relationship and Charlotte's life hang in the balance. Death becomes imminent.
Crisis
Will faces his dark night of the soul, processing his fear of loss and his lifetime of emotional avoidance. He must decide whether to run or fully commit despite the pain ahead.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Will realizes that loving Charlotte fully, even with the certainty of loss, is better than a lifetime of empty safety. He chooses to be present for whatever time remains.
Synthesis
Will commits completely to Charlotte in her final days, giving her the genuine love she deserves and experiencing the transformation that comes from true vulnerability and acceptance of loss.
Transformation
After Charlotte's death, Will is shown fundamentally changed—no longer the emotionally detached playboy but someone who has learned to truly love, grieve, and live authentically.