Barbecue
On his 50th birthday, a man who's been watching his weight, health and temper all his life suffers a heart attack. He's been doing everything he was told he should do and it still didn't help. He decides to turn the page and let loose.
Despite its small-scale budget of $6.0M, Barbecue became a commercial success, earning $14.3M worldwide—a 139% 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%)
Barbecue (2014) showcases deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Eric Lavaine's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Antoine
Laurent
Yves
Max
Baptiste
Marie
Aurélie
Main Cast & Characters
Antoine
Played by Lambert Wilson
A successful businessman facing a life crisis who brings his friends together for a pact to change their lives.
Laurent
Played by Franck Dubosc
A womanizing bachelor and Antoine's close friend who struggles with commitment and meaningful relationships.
Yves
Played by Guillaume de Tonquédec
A devoted family man and doctor dealing with domestic pressures and professional responsibilities.
Max
Played by Lionel Abelanski
An uptight and anxiety-prone member of the group who is overly cautious about life changes.
Baptiste
Played by Jérôme Commandeur
The youngest of the group, struggling with career direction and romantic relationships.
Marie
Played by Florence Foresti
Antoine's wife who becomes frustrated with her husband's midlife crisis and the group's pact.
Aurélie
Played by Judith El Zein
Yves' demanding wife who expects perfection from her husband and family life.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The group of middle-aged friends gather for their regular barbecue, showing their comfortable but stagnant routines and deteriorating health habits.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Antoine suffers a massive heart attack during the barbecue and collapses, forcing everyone to confront their mortality.. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The four friends make a pact to radically change their lives: lose weight, get healthy, pursue dreams they've abandoned. They commit to supporting each other in this transformation., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat A celebration of their progress - they've lost weight, feel energized, relationships are improving. False victory: it seems like their problems are solved, but their old lives start calling them back., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The pact falls apart - one friend spectacularly relapses or the group has a devastating fight that dissolves their support system. Antoine may have a setback, serving as a "whiff of death."., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A realization that the pact wasn't about perfection but about trying, and that true friendship means accepting each other's flaws while encouraging growth. They reunite with new understanding., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Barbecue's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Barbecue against these established plot points, we can identify how Eric Lavaine utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Barbecue within the comedy genre.
Eric Lavaine's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Eric Lavaine films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Barbecue exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Eric Lavaine filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Eric Lavaine analyses, see Welcome Aboard.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The group of middle-aged friends gather for their regular barbecue, showing their comfortable but stagnant routines and deteriorating health habits.
Theme
A character mentions that they're "not living, just existing" - establishing the theme of choosing life over mere survival.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of the five friends and their daily lives: their jobs, family dynamics, health issues, and the complacency that has settled over their middle-aged existence.
Disruption
Antoine suffers a massive heart attack during the barbecue and collapses, forcing everyone to confront their mortality.
Resistance
At the hospital, the friends debate what Antoine's near-death experience means. They discuss making changes but resist committing. The doctor's warnings about their own health create mounting pressure.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The four friends make a pact to radically change their lives: lose weight, get healthy, pursue dreams they've abandoned. They commit to supporting each other in this transformation.
Mirror World
Each friend encounters someone or something that represents the life they want: new romantic possibilities, career opportunities, or connections that embody their thematic growth.
Premise
The "fun and games" of self-improvement: montages of exercise, diet attempts, pursuing new relationships and career changes. Comic mishaps as they stumble through their transformations.
Midpoint
A celebration of their progress - they've lost weight, feel energized, relationships are improving. False victory: it seems like their problems are solved, but their old lives start calling them back.
Opposition
Reality pushes back: families resent the changes, jobs become demanding, temptations multiply. Old habits resurface. The friends start lying to each other about slip-ups. Conflicts emerge within the group.
Collapse
The pact falls apart - one friend spectacularly relapses or the group has a devastating fight that dissolves their support system. Antoine may have a setback, serving as a "whiff of death."
Crisis
Each friend alone, contemplating giving up entirely. Dark night of the soul as they question whether change is possible or if they're doomed to their old patterns.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A realization that the pact wasn't about perfection but about trying, and that true friendship means accepting each other's flaws while encouraging growth. They reunite with new understanding.
Synthesis
The friends come together for a final act that combines their growth with acceptance of who they are. They support Antoine and each other in a more sustainable, realistic way. Resolution of romantic and career subplots.
Transformation
Final barbecue scene mirrors the opening, but the friends are present, engaged, and alive in a way they weren't before. They've found balance between health and joy, change and acceptance.