Club Paradise
Injured while risking his life to save an angry German shepherd, Chicago Firefighter Jack Moniker retires and moves to a small Caribbean island named St. Nicholas. There, he is befriended by Ernest Reed, the owner of a run-down resort. Greedy developers are scheming to wrest Reed's coveted beachfront property from him for non-payment of taxes. Jack comes to Ernest's rescue, and together they renovate and reopen the resort catering to affluent Americans. The film follows the zany exploits of the proprietors, guests and various colorful island denizens, as they break in the new "Club Paradise".
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $15.0M, earning $12.3M globally (-18% 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%)
Club Paradise (1986) exhibits meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Harold Ramis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jack Moniker works as a Chicago firefighter, trapped in a dangerous, unfulfilling routine that nearly costs him his life.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Jack decides to use his settlement money to retire early and moves to the Caribbean island of St. Nicholas, discovering a rundown resort opportunity.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Jack commits his money and partnership with Ernest to renovate and reopen Club Paradise, fully entering the resort business world., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat External threats emerge: a corrupt politician and a powerful developer reveal plans to take over the island for a large commercial resort, and the prime minister appears complicit. The fun and games are over., 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 (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Club Paradise is shut down by corrupt officials, and Ernest is arrested. Jack's dream dies, and he faces losing everything he invested - financially and emotionally., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jack realizes that paradise isn't about the perfect resort - it's about the people and community. He rallies the locals and guests to fight back against the corrupt developers together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Club Paradise'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 Club Paradise against these established plot points, we can identify how Harold Ramis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Club Paradise within the comedy genre.
Harold Ramis's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Harold Ramis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Club Paradise represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Harold Ramis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Harold Ramis analyses, see Multiplicity, The Ice Harvest and Analyze That.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jack Moniker works as a Chicago firefighter, trapped in a dangerous, unfulfilling routine that nearly costs him his life.
Theme
Someone mentions that paradise isn't a place, it's a state of mind - you have to create your own happiness rather than escape to find it.
Worldbuilding
Jack receives disability compensation after being injured on the job. We meet his world in Chicago and learn about his desire to escape to something better, establishing his dissatisfaction with city life.
Disruption
Jack decides to use his settlement money to retire early and moves to the Caribbean island of St. Nicholas, discovering a rundown resort opportunity.
Resistance
Jack meets Ernest Reed, a local reggae musician who owns the dilapidated Club Paradise resort. They debate whether to partner up and attempt to make the resort viable, while Jack explores the island culture.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jack commits his money and partnership with Ernest to renovate and reopen Club Paradise, fully entering the resort business world.
Mirror World
The first guests arrive, including various tourists who will serve as the ensemble cast representing different relationships to paradise and escapism - particularly highlighting authentic connection vs. commercial fantasy.
Premise
The resort operates with comic misadventures as Jack and Ernest deal with eccentric guests, island life, and the fun chaos of running a tropical resort. The promise of paradise comedy is delivered.
Midpoint
External threats emerge: a corrupt politician and a powerful developer reveal plans to take over the island for a large commercial resort, and the prime minister appears complicit. The fun and games are over.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as the developers use legal manipulation and political corruption to squeeze out Club Paradise. The locals begin to lose hope, and Jack's dream resort faces closure.
Collapse
Club Paradise is shut down by corrupt officials, and Ernest is arrested. Jack's dream dies, and he faces losing everything he invested - financially and emotionally.
Crisis
Jack wallows in defeat and considers abandoning the island entirely. He must decide whether to give up or fight for the community that has become his true paradise.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jack realizes that paradise isn't about the perfect resort - it's about the people and community. He rallies the locals and guests to fight back against the corrupt developers together.
Synthesis
Jack and the islanders execute a plan to expose the corruption and save Club Paradise. Through comic confrontation and community solidarity, they outmaneuver the developers and restore the resort.
Transformation
Club Paradise thrives with Jack fully integrated into island life, having found authentic paradise not through escape but through community and purpose. He has transformed from running away to building something meaningful.