Corrina, Corrina
When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople.
Working with a modest budget of $12.5M, the film achieved a modest success with $20.1M in global revenue (+61% profit margin).
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%)
Corrina, Corrina (1994) exemplifies deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Jessie Nelson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.1, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The funeral of Manny's wife. The family is shattered by grief, especially young Molly who has stopped speaking. The "before" shows a loving family now broken by loss.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Corrina Washington arrives for the housekeeper interview. She's different from all the others—warm, genuine, and immediately connects with Molly in a way no one else has.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Manny commits to keeping Corrina despite family objections and social pressure. He chooses what's best for Molly over conforming to 1950s expectations, fully entering the new world of their unconventional family., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Molly speaks for the first time since her mother's death, a major breakthrough. This false victory suggests everything is healing, but raises stakes—the family is now emotionally vulnerable and the romance between Manny and Corrina becomes undeniable., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The relationship crisis: either Corrina leaves or is fired due to overwhelming social pressure, or Manny chooses conformity over love. The dream of their unconventional family "dies." Molly risks retreating back into silence., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Manny realizes that love and family matter more than social acceptance. He understands what Corrina taught him: being alive means being vulnerable. He chooses authentic love over safe conformity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Corrina, Corrina'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 Corrina, Corrina against these established plot points, we can identify how Jessie Nelson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Corrina, Corrina within the comedy genre.
Jessie Nelson's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jessie Nelson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Corrina, Corrina takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jessie Nelson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jessie Nelson analyses, see Love the Coopers, I Am Sam.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The funeral of Manny's wife. The family is shattered by grief, especially young Molly who has stopped speaking. The "before" shows a loving family now broken by loss.
Theme
Manny's mother-in-law or sister discusses how "she needs someone who can reach her" referring to Molly. The theme of connection and healing through love is stated.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the broken household: Molly's selective mutism, Manny's overwhelmed state as single father, his work as a jingle writer, the parade of unsuitable housekeepers, and the 1950s setting with underlying racial tensions.
Disruption
Corrina Washington arrives for the housekeeper interview. She's different from all the others—warm, genuine, and immediately connects with Molly in a way no one else has.
Resistance
Manny debates hiring Corrina due to social prejudices and family pressure, but recognizes Molly's response to her. Corrina begins working, establishing routines and slowly breaking through Molly's silence with music and patience.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Manny commits to keeping Corrina despite family objections and social pressure. He chooses what's best for Molly over conforming to 1950s expectations, fully entering the new world of their unconventional family.
Mirror World
Corrina and Molly share a breakthrough moment—possibly musical or playful—where real connection forms. This relationship becomes the heart of the story, embodying the theme of healing through love.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the unconventional family forming: Corrina brings life back to the house with music and soul food, Molly slowly opens up, Manny rediscovers joy. Romance quietly develops between Manny and Corrina.
Midpoint
Molly speaks for the first time since her mother's death, a major breakthrough. This false victory suggests everything is healing, but raises stakes—the family is now emotionally vulnerable and the romance between Manny and Corrina becomes undeniable.
Opposition
External pressures intensify: family disapproval of the interracial relationship, social judgment from neighbors and Manny's work colleagues, Corrina faces discrimination. Internal conflict as both struggle with fear of breaking social barriers.
Collapse
The relationship crisis: either Corrina leaves or is fired due to overwhelming social pressure, or Manny chooses conformity over love. The dream of their unconventional family "dies." Molly risks retreating back into silence.
Crisis
Dark night: Manny faces his fear of truly living again and defying society. Corrina questions whether love is worth the cost. Molly's pain reflects the adults' inability to choose courage over fear.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Manny realizes that love and family matter more than social acceptance. He understands what Corrina taught him: being alive means being vulnerable. He chooses authentic love over safe conformity.
Synthesis
Manny fights for Corrina and their family, confronting social prejudice directly. The family reunites, choosing each other despite the world's judgment. They forge their own path as an integrated, loving family.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening funeral but transformed: the family is whole again, filled with life, music, and love. Molly speaks freely, Manny lives fully, Corrina belongs. Healing complete.