Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Chloe, a diamond-clad ultra-pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua finds herself being "puppy-sit" by the niece, Rachel, of her owner when she leaves for Europe for one of her fashion shows. Rachel is enjoying her aunt's wealthy home but can't resist a weekend trip to Mexico with her friends. With Chloe in tote, Rachel's partying quickly disgusts Chloe and she decides she will go home herself. Chloe quickly gets lost in Mexico and thrown into a dog-fighting ring where she meets Delgado, an ex police K9 who is there and finds himself between his old enemy Diablo, the drug-lord's dog who ruined his career, and Chloe. After saving her and himself, Delgado agrees to help her get home and they begin their journey across Mexico for Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, Rachel has enlisted the help of her Aunt's gardener and Papi, the gardener's Chihuahua who's crazy about Chloe, to help find and save her. At the same time Diablo's master has learned of Chloe's identity and plans on dog-napping her for a big ransom. Along the way Chloe learns of her ancestry, her own strengths, and also finds a little love.
Despite a mid-range budget of $20.0M, Beverly Hills Chihuahua became a commercial juggernaut, earning $149.3M worldwide—a remarkable 646% return.
3 wins & 6 nominations
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%)
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) exemplifies strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Raja Gosnell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Chloe
Papi
Delgado
Rachel
Sam
Viv
El Diablo
Main Cast & Characters
Chloe
Played by Drew Barrymore
A pampered Beverly Hills chihuahua who gets lost in Mexico and must find her way home.
Papi
Played by George Lopez
A street-smart chihuahua from East L.A. who helps Chloe and falls in love with her.
Delgado
Played by Andy Garcia
A former police dog who becomes Chloe's protector and guide through Mexico.
Rachel
Played by Piper Perabo
Chloe's owner's irresponsible niece who loses Chloe in Mexico.
Sam
Played by Manolo Cardona
Rachel's love interest and landscaper who helps search for Chloe.
Viv
Played by Jamie Lee Curtis
Chloe's wealthy owner who loves her deeply.
El Diablo
Played by Edward James Olmos
A vicious Doberman Pinscher who runs an illegal dogfighting ring.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Chloe lives a pampered life in Beverly Hills with her wealthy owner Vivian, enjoying spa treatments, designer accessories, and complete luxury. She's the ultimate spoiled princess chihuahua.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Vivian must leave town for business and leaves Chloe in the care of her irresponsible niece Rachel, who takes Chloe to Mexico for a vacation - disrupting Chloe's safe, controlled environment.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Chloe is dognapped by criminals who plan to use her in illegal dogfights. She is forced into a terrifying new world where her wealth and status mean nothing - no choice, thrust into survival mode., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Chloe and Delgado share a bonding moment at ancient Aztec ruins where Chloe learns about her proud chihuahua heritage and warrior ancestry. She feels empowered and connected to something greater - false victory as danger still looms., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Chloe is recaptured by the dognappers and thrown into the fighting pit. Delgado, traumatized by his past failure, initially can't bring himself to help her. Chloe faces her darkest moment alone and terrified., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Chloe remembers her heritage and finds her inner warrior. Delgado overcomes his trauma. Together with Papi (who tracked them down) and other dogs, they realize that unity and courage - not pedigree - make them strong., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Beverly Hills Chihuahua'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 Beverly Hills Chihuahua against these established plot points, we can identify how Raja Gosnell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Beverly Hills Chihuahua within the adventure genre.
Raja Gosnell's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Raja Gosnell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Beverly Hills Chihuahua represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Raja Gosnell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Raja Gosnell analyses, see Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Show Dogs and The Smurfs 2.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Chloe lives a pampered life in Beverly Hills with her wealthy owner Vivian, enjoying spa treatments, designer accessories, and complete luxury. She's the ultimate spoiled princess chihuahua.
Theme
Papi, the landscaper's chihuahua, tells Chloe that there's more to life than material things and that she has the heart of a warrior inside her - foreshadowing her need to discover her true strength.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Chloe's luxurious world, her relationship with owner Vivian, the devoted Papi who loves her, and the setup of Chloe's superficial values and pampered lifestyle.
Disruption
Vivian must leave town for business and leaves Chloe in the care of her irresponsible niece Rachel, who takes Chloe to Mexico for a vacation - disrupting Chloe's safe, controlled environment.
Resistance
Chloe resists the change, uncomfortable in Mexico and out of her element. Rachel parties in Puerto Vallarta while Chloe is left with Rachel's friends and their dogs, feeling increasingly anxious and out of place.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Chloe is dognapped by criminals who plan to use her in illegal dogfights. She is forced into a terrifying new world where her wealth and status mean nothing - no choice, thrust into survival mode.
Mirror World
Chloe meets Delgado, a tough former police dog who represents everything she isn't - self-reliant, strong, and street-smart. He agrees to help her get home, becoming her guide and thematic mirror.
Premise
The journey home through Mexico. Chloe and Delgado travel together, encountering various dangers and adventures. Chloe begins learning survival skills and discovering her inner strength while Delgado opens up about his past.
Midpoint
Chloe and Delgado share a bonding moment at ancient Aztec ruins where Chloe learns about her proud chihuahua heritage and warrior ancestry. She feels empowered and connected to something greater - false victory as danger still looms.
Opposition
The dognappers close in. Chloe's journey becomes more dangerous as the criminals track her down. Delgado's past trauma resurfaces, and the obstacles intensify as they near the border.
Collapse
Chloe is recaptured by the dognappers and thrown into the fighting pit. Delgado, traumatized by his past failure, initially can't bring himself to help her. Chloe faces her darkest moment alone and terrified.
Crisis
Chloe must find courage within herself. Delgado wrestles with his demons. Both characters face their internal fears before finding resolve to fight back.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Chloe remembers her heritage and finds her inner warrior. Delgado overcomes his trauma. Together with Papi (who tracked them down) and other dogs, they realize that unity and courage - not pedigree - make them strong.
Synthesis
The finale: Chloe, Delgado, Papi and the other dogs fight back against the criminals and escape. Police arrive to arrest the dognappers. Chloe returns home, reunites with Vivian, and accepts Papi's love, having transformed completely.
Transformation
Chloe, now confident and self-assured, plays in the yard with Papi and the other dogs without her designer clothes and accessories. She's found her true self - strong, brave, and valuing real relationships over material luxury.