Baggage Claim
Although she has traveled all over the world, flight attendant Montana Moore has yet to find a man with whom she wants to settle down. However, with her sister's upcoming wedding and pressure from her oft-married mother, she's determined to get engaged in the next 30 days. In that time, her best friends (and fellow flight attendants) conspire to help her re-encounter her exes as she flies all over the country.
Despite its modest budget of $8.5M, Baggage Claim became a commercial success, earning $22.5M worldwide—a 164% return.
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%)
Baggage Claim (2013) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of David E. Talbert's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Montana Moore works as a flight attendant, living a glamorous but lonely single life, desperate to find love before her younger sister's wedding in 30 days.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Montana learns her younger sister Sheree is getting married in 30 days, intensifying the pressure and making her feel like a failure at love.. At 11% 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Montana actively chooses to execute "The Plan" and boards her first flight to track down an ex-boyfriend, committing to the wild quest for a husband., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Montana seemingly succeeds when Quinton, the wealthy politician ex, proposes to her. False victory - she has the ring she wanted but something feels wrong. Stakes raise as the wedding approaches., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Montana discovers Quinton is cheating on her or only wants her for shallow reasons. The engagement falls apart and her entire plan collapses. She's alone with no prospects and her sister's wedding is imminent., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Montana realizes she's been in love with William all along - he's been there supporting her, knowing her completely. She sees clearly that authentic love was beside her the whole time while she chased illusions., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Baggage Claim's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Baggage Claim against these established plot points, we can identify how David E. Talbert utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Baggage Claim within the romance genre.
David E. Talbert's Structural Approach
Among the 3 David E. Talbert films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Baggage Claim takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David E. Talbert filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more David E. Talbert analyses, see First Sunday, Almost Christmas.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Montana Moore works as a flight attendant, living a glamorous but lonely single life, desperate to find love before her younger sister's wedding in 30 days.
Theme
Montana's mother or friend suggests that she's been looking for love in all the wrong places, hinting that what you're searching for might be right in front of you.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Montana's world as a flight attendant, her close friendship with Gail and Sam, her pattern of failed relationships, and the pressure from her mother about marriage and her sister's upcoming wedding.
Disruption
Montana learns her younger sister Sheree is getting married in 30 days, intensifying the pressure and making her feel like a failure at love.
Resistance
Montana debates what to do about her love life. Her friends Gail and Sam devise "The Plan" - using her flight attendant access to track down and reconnect with her ex-boyfriends across the country to find a husband in 30 days.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Montana actively chooses to execute "The Plan" and boards her first flight to track down an ex-boyfriend, committing to the wild quest for a husband.
Mirror World
William, her childhood best friend and fellow flight attendant, becomes more prominent as he accompanies and supports her through the plan, representing genuine connection versus manufactured romance.
Premise
The fun premise delivers: Montana travels city to city reconnecting with various ex-boyfriends (the politician, the musician, the athlete), each encounter revealing why they didn't work out while William watches from the sidelines.
Midpoint
Montana seemingly succeeds when Quinton, the wealthy politician ex, proposes to her. False victory - she has the ring she wanted but something feels wrong. Stakes raise as the wedding approaches.
Opposition
Pressure builds as Montana tries to convince herself Quinton is right for her while her feelings for William grow. Her scheme unravels as exes prove disappointing and her mother's expectations weigh heavier. William's frustration with her choices intensifies.
Collapse
Montana discovers Quinton is cheating on her or only wants her for shallow reasons. The engagement falls apart and her entire plan collapses. She's alone with no prospects and her sister's wedding is imminent.
Crisis
Montana processes her failure, realizing she's been chasing the wrong thing. Dark night of reflection on what love really means and whether she's been overlooking what truly matters.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Montana realizes she's been in love with William all along - he's been there supporting her, knowing her completely. She sees clearly that authentic love was beside her the whole time while she chased illusions.
Synthesis
Montana goes to find William and confess her feelings. She attends her sister's wedding with newfound clarity about love. She wins William back by being honest and vulnerable, combining her journey's lessons with authentic emotion.
Transformation
Montana and William together, happy and authentic. She's no longer desperate or chasing - she's found love by being herself. The final image shows her transformed from anxious pursuit to genuine connection.