Double Jeopardy
When Nick Parsons appears to be murdered his wife Libby is tried and convicted. Six years later Libby is paroled and is pursued by Travis Lehman (her parole officer) as she sets out to find her son and settle the score with Nick.
Despite a mid-range budget of $70.0M, Double Jeopardy became a commercial success, earning $177.8M worldwide—a 154% return.
1 win & 3 nominations
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%)
Double Jeopardy (1999) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Bruce Beresford's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Libby and Nick Parsons celebrate their anniversary with their young son Matty on their sailing yacht, establishing their seemingly perfect upper-middle-class life in Washington state.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Libby wakes up on the yacht covered in blood to find Nick missing and evidence suggesting murder. She is arrested for his murder despite her protests of innocence.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Libby receives a phone call from Matty where she hears Nick's voice in the background, confirming he is alive and framed her. She chooses to survive prison and hunt him down., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Libby is paroled after six years and placed under supervision of parole officer Travis Lehman. She appears compliant but is secretly ready to execute her plan., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Libby is captured by Travis after nearly finding Nick. She believes she has lost her only chance to reunite with Matty and confront Nick, facing return to prison., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Travis and Libby form an alliance. He provides critical information about Nick's current identity and location, enabling her final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Double Jeopardy'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 Double Jeopardy against these established plot points, we can identify how Bruce Beresford utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Double Jeopardy within the crime genre.
Bruce Beresford's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Bruce Beresford films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Double Jeopardy takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bruce Beresford filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Bruce Beresford analyses, see Driving Miss Daisy, Mao’s Last Dancer and The Contract.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Libby and Nick Parsons celebrate their anniversary with their young son Matty on their sailing yacht, establishing their seemingly perfect upper-middle-class life in Washington state.
Theme
Angie tells Libby "You can't fight city hall" when discussing trust and the justice system, foreshadowing the film's exploration of institutional betrayal and personal justice.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Libby's happy marriage to Nick, their son Matty, their successful life, the romantic weekend sailing trip, and Nick's apparent financial success.
Disruption
Libby wakes up on the yacht covered in blood to find Nick missing and evidence suggesting murder. She is arrested for his murder despite her protests of innocence.
Resistance
Libby's trial, conviction for Nick's murder, imprisonment, and her friend Angie taking custody of Matty. Libby debates accepting her fate versus fighting back.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Libby receives a phone call from Matty where she hears Nick's voice in the background, confirming he is alive and framed her. She chooses to survive prison and hunt him down.
Mirror World
Libby befriends fellow inmate Margaret, a former lawyer who becomes her mentor and teaches her about the double jeopardy law and survival skills.
Premise
Libby transforms in prison: learning to fight, gathering information about Nick's whereabouts, discovering the double jeopardy loophole, and planning her revenge.
Midpoint
Libby is paroled after six years and placed under supervision of parole officer Travis Lehman. She appears compliant but is secretly ready to execute her plan.
Opposition
Libby violates parole to track Nick to San Francisco and New Orleans. Travis pursues her while she gets closer to finding Nick and Matty, facing multiple obstacles.
Collapse
Libby is captured by Travis after nearly finding Nick. She believes she has lost her only chance to reunite with Matty and confront Nick, facing return to prison.
Crisis
Travis investigates Libby's claims and discovers she was telling the truth. Libby gains an unlikely ally as Travis chooses to help her rather than arrest her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Travis and Libby form an alliance. He provides critical information about Nick's current identity and location, enabling her final confrontation.
Synthesis
Libby confronts Nick at a charity event, pursues him through his elaborate mansion, rescues Matty from danger, and forces Nick into a final showdown where he dies.
Transformation
Libby emerges from the water with Matty, reunited with her son. Travis ensures she won't be prosecuted, and mother and son embrace, free at last.