Catch That Kid
A determined twelve-year-old mountain climber takes drastic action to save her injured father by planning a high-stakes bank heist, using her skills and teamwork to navigate the challenge.
The film struggled financially against its moderate budget of $18.0M, earning $17.0M globally (-6% loss).
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%)
Catch That Kid (2004) exhibits carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Bart Freundlich's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Maddy Phillips
Gus
Austin
Tom Phillips
Molly Phillips
Harderbach
Main Cast & Characters
Maddy Phillips
Played by Kristen Stewart
A 12-year-old climbing prodigy who organizes a bank heist to save her father's life by stealing money for experimental surgery.
Gus
Played by Max Thieriot
Maddy's best friend, a mechanical genius who helps design the heist using his engineering skills.
Austin
Played by Corbin Bleu
Maddy's other best friend, a go-kart driver who provides getaway expertise and comic relief.
Tom Phillips
Played by Sam Robards
Maddy's father, a former mountain climber now paralyzed, whose medical crisis motivates the heist.
Molly Phillips
Played by Jennifer Beals
Maddy's mother, who struggles between protecting her daughter and supporting her husband's treatment.
Harderbach
Played by Sam Bottoms
The ruthless bank security chief determined to catch the young thieves and protect the vault.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Maddy climbs a water tower with her father Tom, showing their close bond and her exceptional climbing skills. She's happy, confident, and living her passion with her dad's support.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Maddy learns that her father needs an expensive experimental surgery in Denmark costing $250,000, which insurance won't cover. Without it, he'll never walk again. The family can't afford it.. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Maddy makes the active decision to rob the bank. She recruits Austin and Gus, presenting them with the plan. They agree to help, crossing into the world of crime for love and friendship., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: The heist begins successfully. The kids infiltrate the bank after hours, and Maddy starts her climb down into the vault. Everything is going according to plan, and they feel confident and empowered., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The heist falls apart. The kids are caught by security and police. Maddy's mother discovers her daughter was behind the robbery. The dream of saving her father dies, and Maddy faces the consequences of her crime - arrest, betrayal of trust, and her father's disappointment., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. New information/synthesis: The bank manager, moved by Maddy's love for her father and recognizing the family's impossible situation, shows unexpected mercy. The community comes together, inspired by the kids' devotion. Maddy realizes true strength comes from accepting help and being honest., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Catch That Kid'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 Catch That Kid against these established plot points, we can identify how Bart Freundlich utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Catch That Kid within the family genre.
Bart Freundlich's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Bart Freundlich films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Catch That Kid takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bart Freundlich filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance. For more Bart Freundlich analyses, see The Rebound.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Maddy climbs a water tower with her father Tom, showing their close bond and her exceptional climbing skills. She's happy, confident, and living her passion with her dad's support.
Theme
Tom tells Maddy, "Sometimes you have to take risks for the people you love." This thematic statement foreshadows the central moral dilemma of the film.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Maddy's world: her climbing passion, friendship with tech-genius Austin and go-kart driver Gus, her mother's new security job at the bank, and the loving family dynamic. Tom's accident occurs during a climbing fall, paralyzing him.
Disruption
Maddy learns that her father needs an expensive experimental surgery in Denmark costing $250,000, which insurance won't cover. Without it, he'll never walk again. The family can't afford it.
Resistance
Maddy debates what to do. She tries legitimate options (asking for donations, fundraising), but realizes they won't raise enough money in time. She observes her mother's bank security system and conceives the idea of robbing the bank where the money sits in a vault.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Maddy makes the active decision to rob the bank. She recruits Austin and Gus, presenting them with the plan. They agree to help, crossing into the world of crime for love and friendship.
Mirror World
The friendship between Maddy, Austin, and Gus deepens as they work together. Both boys have crushes on Maddy, creating a romantic subplot that explores loyalty and teamwork - the thematic heart of the story.
Premise
The "heist movie fun" - the kids plan the robbery, build their equipment, study the security systems, and rehearse. Maddy trains, Austin hacks systems, Gus modifies his go-kart. Teen heist hijinks and the promise of the premise.
Midpoint
False victory: The heist begins successfully. The kids infiltrate the bank after hours, and Maddy starts her climb down into the vault. Everything is going according to plan, and they feel confident and empowered.
Opposition
Complications arise: security systems activate unexpectedly, the kids argue and mistrust each other (Austin and Gus fight over Maddy), Maddy's mother and security team get suspicious. The heist becomes harder and more dangerous. Relationships strain under pressure.
Collapse
The heist falls apart. The kids are caught by security and police. Maddy's mother discovers her daughter was behind the robbery. The dream of saving her father dies, and Maddy faces the consequences of her crime - arrest, betrayal of trust, and her father's disappointment.
Crisis
Maddy sits in the aftermath of her choices, facing her parents' heartbreak. Her father, despite needing the surgery, is devastated that she would steal. She realizes the cost of her actions on those she loves. Dark night of despair and guilt.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
New information/synthesis: The bank manager, moved by Maddy's love for her father and recognizing the family's impossible situation, shows unexpected mercy. The community comes together, inspired by the kids' devotion. Maddy realizes true strength comes from accepting help and being honest.
Synthesis
Resolution: The kids face appropriate consequences but avoid harsh punishment. The community fundraises successfully for Tom's surgery. Maddy reconciles with her parents and friends. Tom gets his operation. The family heals together, stronger for the ordeal.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors the opening: Maddy climbs again, but now with her father walking beside her on the ground, watching proudly. She's still a climber, but she's learned that accepting help and trusting others makes her stronger, not weaker. The family is whole.