Corky Romano

The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Corky Romano is introduced as a gentle, animal-loving veterinary assistant who is completely disconnected from his mob family. He lives in his innocent, sheltered world of caring for animals and operating his practice.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Pops Romano suffers a heart attack when he learns the FBI has damning evidence against him. The family faces destruction unless someone can infiltrate the FBI and destroy the evidence. This health crisis and legal threat disrupts everyone's world.. 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Corky chooses to enter the FBI building despite his terror, motivated by finally being needed by his family and wanting to save his dying father. He walks through those doors and commits to the undercover mission, entering a world he knows nothing about., moving from reaction to action.

At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Corky achieves false victory - he's now the FBI's golden boy, has Kate's admiration and affection, and seems close to finding the evidence. He's getting everything he wanted (acceptance, respect, family approval) but it's all built on lies. Stakes raise as his success draws more scrutiny., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 62 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Corky's true identity is exposed to the FBI and Kate. His entire fabricated life dies - he loses Kate's trust and love, his FBI respect, and faces arrest. The acceptance and belonging he found evaporates. He's betrayed everyone who believed in him and lost everything., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 68 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Corky synthesizes his two worlds - he'll use his newfound confidence and skills (learned from FBI work) combined with his core goodness (his true nature) to do the right thing: expose the real FBI corruption and save innocent people, even if it means losing his blood family., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.