Cheaper by the Dozen 2
Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt return as heads of the Baker family who, while on vacation, find themselves in competition with a rival family of eight children.
Despite a moderate budget of $60.0M, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 became a financial success, earning $129.2M worldwide—a 115% return.
1 win & 5 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%)
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Adam Shankman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Tom Baker
Kate Baker
Jimmy Murtaugh
Sarina Murtaugh
Nora Baker-McNulty
Bud McNulty
Charlie Baker
Lorraine Baker
Main Cast & Characters
Tom Baker
Played by Steve Martin
Father of 12 children, college football coach struggling to maintain family unity during a lake vacation disrupted by rivalry with an old nemesis.
Kate Baker
Played by Bonnie Hunt
Mother of 12, author trying to balance career success with family time while supporting her husband through his competitive crisis.
Jimmy Murtaugh
Played by Eugene Levy
Tom's wealthy rival from college, father of 8, who flaunts his success and triggers Tom's insecurities during their vacation encounter.
Sarina Murtaugh
Played by Carmen Electra
Jimmy's wife, yoga enthusiast and wellness advocate who initially appears perfect but reveals vulnerability.
Nora Baker-McNulty
Played by Piper Perabo
Eldest Baker daughter, new mother struggling to balance her own family with her chaotic birth family.
Bud McNulty
Played by Jonathan Bennett
Nora's husband, adjusting to fatherhood and the overwhelming Baker family dynamics.
Charlie Baker
Played by Tom Welling
Rebellious Baker son dealing with teenage angst and romance while caught in family rivalry.
Lorraine Baker
Played by Hilary Duff
Baker daughter who develops a romance with Elliot Murtaugh despite family rivalry.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Baker family is scattered and disconnected. The older children have moved away to college and careers, leaving Tom feeling like his family is slipping away from him.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Kate proposes one last family vacation together before everyone goes their separate ways. This creates hope for reconnection but also highlights the impending separation.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The Baker family arrives at Lake Winnetka and commits to spending the vacation together. Tom decides this will be the perfect family bonding experience he envisions., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The Baker-Murtaugh competition reaches a major event (likely the Labor Day Cup or similar challenge). Tom's obsession with winning becomes obvious to everyone, and his behavior begins to embarrass and alienate his children. False victory turns to recognition of deeper problems., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The family reaches breaking point. Tom's behavior causes a major blow-up where the children express their frustration and hurt. The "perfect family vacation" Tom envisioned is dead. His fear of losing his family has caused exactly what he feared., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tom has a realization (possibly through Kate's wisdom or a crisis moment) that being a father doesn't mean controlling his children - it means supporting them as they grow. He chooses to change his approach and make things right., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Cheaper by the Dozen 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Cheaper by the Dozen 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Adam Shankman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Cheaper by the Dozen 2 within the comedy genre.
Adam Shankman's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Adam Shankman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Cheaper by the Dozen 2 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Adam Shankman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Adam Shankman analyses, see The Wedding Planner, Bringing Down the House and What Men Want.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Baker family is scattered and disconnected. The older children have moved away to college and careers, leaving Tom feeling like his family is slipping away from him.
Theme
Kate tells Tom that families change and grow, but the bonds remain. She suggests that holding on too tight will push the kids away - the central thematic question of accepting change versus controlling it.
Worldbuilding
Setup of the Baker family dynamics: 12 children at different life stages, Tom's insecurity about losing his family, Kate's role as mediator, and the announcement of the family vacation to Lake Winnetka.
Disruption
Kate proposes one last family vacation together before everyone goes their separate ways. This creates hope for reconnection but also highlights the impending separation.
Resistance
The family debates and prepares for the trip. Older kids are reluctant, younger kids are excited. Tom struggles with accepting that not everyone wants to participate, but eventually the family agrees to go.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Baker family arrives at Lake Winnetka and commits to spending the vacation together. Tom decides this will be the perfect family bonding experience he envisions.
Mirror World
The Murtaugh family appears - Jimmy Murtaugh, Tom's old rival, with his 8 children and perfect vacation setup. This introduces the competitive B-story that will force Tom to confront his insecurities.
Premise
Fun and games at the lake: family activities, budding romance between Elliot Baker and Sarah Murtaugh, escalating competitive challenges between Tom and Jimmy, comedic mishaps, and initial family bonding moments.
Midpoint
The Baker-Murtaugh competition reaches a major event (likely the Labor Day Cup or similar challenge). Tom's obsession with winning becomes obvious to everyone, and his behavior begins to embarrass and alienate his children. False victory turns to recognition of deeper problems.
Opposition
Tom's competitiveness intensifies and pushes his family away. The children rebel against his controlling behavior. The rivalry with the Murtaughs escalates. Romantic subplots face obstacles. Family unity deteriorates as Tom's flaws take over.
Collapse
The family reaches breaking point. Tom's behavior causes a major blow-up where the children express their frustration and hurt. The "perfect family vacation" Tom envisioned is dead. His fear of losing his family has caused exactly what he feared.
Crisis
Tom faces his dark night of the soul. He realizes his controlling behavior and competitiveness stem from his fear of becoming irrelevant as his children grow up. He must confront whether he can accept change and let go.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tom has a realization (possibly through Kate's wisdom or a crisis moment) that being a father doesn't mean controlling his children - it means supporting them as they grow. He chooses to change his approach and make things right.
Synthesis
Tom makes amends with his family, likely reconciles with the Murtaughs, and demonstrates his growth by supporting his children's independence. A final challenge or crisis brings both families together in cooperation rather than competition. Resolution of romantic subplots.
Transformation
Final image shows the Baker family together, but transformed. Tom is at peace with his children growing up. The family is connected through love rather than proximity, proving that bonds endure beyond physical togetherness.