Delicious
France, 1789, just before the Revolution. With the help of a surprising talented young woman, a chef who has been sacked by his noble master finds the strength to free himself from his position as a servant and opens the first eve...
Working with a small-scale budget of $5.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $8.4M in global revenue (+67% 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%)
Delicious (2021) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Éric Besnard's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Manceron, a talented chef, serves the Duke of Chamfort in pre-revolutionary France, taking pride in his culinary mastery and position at the aristocratic estate.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The Duke humiliates and dismisses Manceron after he dares to serve an innovative dish called "Delicious" to guests, crushing his pride and ending his prestigious position.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Manceron decides to open a revolutionary establishment where anyone who can pay may eat refined food, not just nobility—inventing the concept of the restaurant., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The restaurant becomes famous and successful, attracting attention from Paris. Manceron receives an offer to return to aristocratic service with even greater prestige, tempting him with validation from his old world., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Manceron chooses aristocratic approval over his principles, betraying Louise and the egalitarian vision of the restaurant. Louise leaves, and Manceron loses what truly mattered—his creative freedom and authentic partnership., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Manceron realizes that true mastery comes from serving food with love and freedom, not hierarchy. He rejects the aristocratic world entirely and commits to reclaiming his restaurant and partnership with Louise., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Delicious'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 Delicious against these established plot points, we can identify how Éric Besnard utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Delicious within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Manceron, a talented chef, serves the Duke of Chamfort in pre-revolutionary France, taking pride in his culinary mastery and position at the aristocratic estate.
Theme
A character suggests that true creation requires freedom from the constraints of tradition and hierarchy, foreshadowing Manceron's journey toward culinary independence.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the rigid aristocratic world, Manceron's relationship with his son and staff, the elaborate kitchen hierarchy, and the social constraints on culinary innovation in 1789 France.
Disruption
The Duke humiliates and dismisses Manceron after he dares to serve an innovative dish called "Delicious" to guests, crushing his pride and ending his prestigious position.
Resistance
Manceron retreats to his father's old inn, struggling with bitterness and loss of purpose. Louise, a mysterious woman with culinary knowledge, arrives seeking to learn from him, gradually pushing him to reconsider his gifts.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Manceron decides to open a revolutionary establishment where anyone who can pay may eat refined food, not just nobility—inventing the concept of the restaurant.
Mirror World
Manceron's partnership with Louise deepens as she becomes his collaborator in the kitchen, representing a new egalitarian approach to both cuisine and society that challenges his old aristocratic mindset.
Premise
The restaurant opens and flourishes, with commoners and bourgeoisie experiencing haute cuisine for the first time. Manceron rediscovers his passion for cooking while creating innovative dishes with Louise, exploring culinary freedom.
Midpoint
The restaurant becomes famous and successful, attracting attention from Paris. Manceron receives an offer to return to aristocratic service with even greater prestige, tempting him with validation from his old world.
Opposition
The Duke and aristocratic forces work to undermine the restaurant. Manceron faces a crisis of values between his desire for recognition from nobility and his new democratic culinary vision. Tensions rise with Louise over his true priorities.
Collapse
Manceron chooses aristocratic approval over his principles, betraying Louise and the egalitarian vision of the restaurant. Louise leaves, and Manceron loses what truly mattered—his creative freedom and authentic partnership.
Crisis
Manceron confronts the emptiness of his choice, realizing that aristocratic validation means nothing without creative freedom and genuine human connection. He reflects on what he has truly lost.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Manceron realizes that true mastery comes from serving food with love and freedom, not hierarchy. He rejects the aristocratic world entirely and commits to reclaiming his restaurant and partnership with Louise.
Synthesis
Manceron returns to fight for his vision, reunites with Louise, and fully embraces the revolutionary idea that great food should be available to all who appreciate it, not just the privileged few.
Transformation
Manceron, now free from the need for aristocratic approval, creates cuisine for the people in his thriving restaurant, having transformed from a servant of hierarchy to an artist of equality—a true revolutionary.