Clean Slate
Maurice L. Pogue (Dana Carvey) is a private eye with a problem: every morning when he wakes up, he has total amnesia, waking up with a "clean slate". Since he is in the middle of a hot investigation and has a developing romance, this is less than convenient.
The film earned $7.4M at the global box office.
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%)
Clean Slate (1994) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Mick Jackson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Maurice Pogue wakes up in his apartment with no memory, finding strange notes he left himself. He lives with anterograde amnesia, unable to form new memories overnight.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Maurice discovers evidence that he witnessed the murder of a mining executive and is being hunted by corrupt businessman Cornell. His notes reveal he's the key witness in a major case.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Maurice decides to actively pursue the case instead of hiding. He chooses to trust his past self's investigation and commits to seeing it through, despite waking up confused each day., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Maurice discovers Cornell's men are closing in and that Sarah may be connected to the conspiracy. His false sense of security is shattered when he realizes his memory condition makes him vulnerable to manipulation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Maurice is captured by Cornell's men. Dolby is killed trying to protect him. Maurice faces the fact that his condition has cost his friend's life and he may die without ever remembering who he was., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Maurice realizes his amnesia is actually an advantage - he can face each moment fresh without fear or trauma. He synthesizes his detective skills with the present-moment clarity his condition forces on him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Clean Slate's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Clean Slate against these established plot points, we can identify how Mick Jackson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Clean Slate within the comedy genre.
Mick Jackson's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Mick Jackson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.6, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Clean Slate represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mick Jackson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Mick Jackson analyses, see L.A. Story, Denial.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Maurice Pogue wakes up in his apartment with no memory, finding strange notes he left himself. He lives with anterograde amnesia, unable to form new memories overnight.
Theme
His doctor explains that without memory, we can't learn from our mistakes or grow - suggesting the film's theme about identity, truth, and the need to confront the past.
Worldbuilding
Maurice discovers he's a private detective who witnessed a murder. Through notes and recordings, he pieces together his daily routine and the danger he's in from criminals who want him silenced.
Disruption
Maurice discovers evidence that he witnessed the murder of a mining executive and is being hunted by corrupt businessman Cornell. His notes reveal he's the key witness in a major case.
Resistance
Maurice debates whether to trust his own notes, meets with his friend Dolby who helps him navigate the investigation, and struggles with whether to run or stand and fight despite his handicap.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Maurice decides to actively pursue the case instead of hiding. He chooses to trust his past self's investigation and commits to seeing it through, despite waking up confused each day.
Mirror World
Maurice develops a relationship with Sarah, a woman who appears in his notes. She represents stability and trust - someone who accepts him despite his condition and helps him see beyond his limitations.
Premise
Maurice investigates the murder case, using his unique perspective to see details others miss. The fun of watching him piece together clues from scratch each day while staying one step ahead of the killers.
Midpoint
Maurice discovers Cornell's men are closing in and that Sarah may be connected to the conspiracy. His false sense of security is shattered when he realizes his memory condition makes him vulnerable to manipulation.
Opposition
Cornell's forces close in, Maurice's support system fractures as he questions who to trust, and his amnesia becomes an increasing liability as the bad guys exploit his inability to remember warnings.
Collapse
Maurice is captured by Cornell's men. Dolby is killed trying to protect him. Maurice faces the fact that his condition has cost his friend's life and he may die without ever remembering who he was.
Crisis
In captivity, Maurice struggles with despair over Dolby's death and his own helplessness. He questions whether his existence has any meaning if he can't remember, can't learn, can't grow.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Maurice realizes his amnesia is actually an advantage - he can face each moment fresh without fear or trauma. He synthesizes his detective skills with the present-moment clarity his condition forces on him.
Synthesis
Maurice uses his unique perspective to outmaneuver Cornell, turning his memory loss into a tactical advantage. He brings down the conspiracy and ensures justice for the murder victim and Dolby.
Transformation
Maurice wakes up again with no memory, but his notes now reflect acceptance and purpose. He's transformed from someone haunted by what he's lost to someone living fully in each new day.