Down and Out in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills couple Barbara and Dave Whiteman find their lives altered by the arrival of a vagrant who tries to drown himself in their swimming pool.
Despite its modest budget of $14.0M, Down and Out in Beverly Hills became a box office success, earning $62.1M worldwide—a 344% return. The film's distinctive approach engaged audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 win & 5 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%)
Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Paul Mazursky's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.9, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jerry Baskin
Dave Whiteman
Barbara Whiteman
Max Whiteman
Jenny Whiteman
Carmen
Main Cast & Characters
Jerry Baskin
Played by Nick Nolte
A suicidal homeless man who attempts to drown himself in the Whiteman family pool and disrupts their comfortable Beverly Hills life
Dave Whiteman
Played by Richard Dreyfuss
A wealthy coat hanger manufacturer who saves Jerry and becomes obsessed with helping him, leading to questions about his own materialistic lifestyle
Barbara Whiteman
Played by Bette Midler
Dave's neglected wife who finds renewed passion and vitality through her affair with Jerry
Max Whiteman
Played by Evan Richards
The Whiteman's rebellious teenage son exploring his identity, who develops a close friendship with Jerry
Jenny Whiteman
Played by Tracy Nelson
The Whiteman's daughter with eating disorders and anxiety, who also finds comfort in Jerry's presence
Carmen
Played by Elizabeth Peña
The Whiteman family's feisty Latina housekeeper who has an affair with Jerry and gains newfound confidence
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Whiteman family appears to have everything: wealth, a mansion, successful business. Dave rehearses a video about his coat hanger empire while his family lives in isolated privilege, each member disconnected and unhappy despite their material success.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Jerry attempts suicide by drowning himself in the Whiteman's swimming pool. This desperate act literally crashes into their world, forcing them to confront something real and raw amid their privileged bubble.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Dave actively chooses to invite Jerry to stay with the family. This decision is driven by Dave's need for something authentic in his life. Jerry crosses the threshold from outsider to guest, entering the world of wealth and privilege., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: The family seems revitalized by Jerry's presence. Dave feels more alive, Barbara feels desired, the kids are connecting. Jerry appears to have found a home. But the stakes raise as the situation becomes unsustainable and dependencies deepen., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The arrangement falls apart. Jerry's presence, rather than solving the family's problems, has exposed and complicated them. The illusion that Jerry could be kept or that he represents a solution collapses. There's a whiff of death to the family's old way of being., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: The family realizes they can't possess Jerry or use him to fix themselves, but they can integrate what he's taught them about authenticity and connection. Jerry recognizes he can accept connection without losing himself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Down and Out in Beverly Hills'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 Down and Out in Beverly Hills against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul Mazursky utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Down and Out in Beverly Hills within the comedy genre.
Paul Mazursky's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Paul Mazursky films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Down and Out in Beverly Hills represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul Mazursky filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Paul Mazursky analyses, see Enemies, a Love Story, Scenes from a Mall and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Whiteman family appears to have everything: wealth, a mansion, successful business. Dave rehearses a video about his coat hanger empire while his family lives in isolated privilege, each member disconnected and unhappy despite their material success.
Theme
Early dialogue establishes the theme of authenticity vs. artifice. The family's superficial interactions hint at the central question: what does it mean to truly be alive and connected?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Whiteman family dysfunction: Barbara feels neglected and unloved, their daughter Jenny is anorexic and rebellious, son Max questions his sexuality, and Dave is having an affair with his wife's friend. Meanwhile, Jerry Baskin wanders Beverly Hills as a homeless drifter with his dog.
Disruption
Jerry attempts suicide by drowning himself in the Whiteman's swimming pool. This desperate act literally crashes into their world, forcing them to confront something real and raw amid their privileged bubble.
Resistance
Dave saves Jerry and debates what to do. Initially planning to send him away, Dave becomes fascinated by Jerry's freedom and authenticity. Jerry resists being absorbed into their world, but his presence begins affecting each family member. The dog Matisse becomes attached to Jerry.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dave actively chooses to invite Jerry to stay with the family. This decision is driven by Dave's need for something authentic in his life. Jerry crosses the threshold from outsider to guest, entering the world of wealth and privilege.
Mirror World
Jerry's relationship with the family, particularly with Barbara, develops. Jerry represents everything the Whitemans have lost: authenticity, passion, freedom from material concerns. He becomes the mirror showing them their own emptiness.
Premise
Jerry transforms the household. He gets a makeover, sleeps with Barbara, connects with the children, and becomes Dave's confidant. The family members each find something in Jerry they've been missing. Comedy ensues as homeless Jerry navigates Beverly Hills luxury while remaining true to himself.
Midpoint
False victory: The family seems revitalized by Jerry's presence. Dave feels more alive, Barbara feels desired, the kids are connecting. Jerry appears to have found a home. But the stakes raise as the situation becomes unsustainable and dependencies deepen.
Opposition
Complications intensify. Jerry's relationships with multiple family members create tension and jealousy. Dave's obsession with Jerry strains his business and marriage further. The family's attempts to possess or control Jerry conflict with his free spirit. External pressures from neighbors and society mount.
Collapse
The arrangement falls apart. Jerry's presence, rather than solving the family's problems, has exposed and complicated them. The illusion that Jerry could be kept or that he represents a solution collapses. There's a whiff of death to the family's old way of being.
Crisis
The family confronts what they've learned from Jerry. They must face their dysfunction and decide whether to change or revert. Jerry himself must decide if he'll be consumed by their world or maintain his identity.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis moment: The family realizes they can't possess Jerry or use him to fix themselves, but they can integrate what he's taught them about authenticity and connection. Jerry recognizes he can accept connection without losing himself.
Synthesis
The finale shows a new equilibrium. The family members, having been shaken from their complacency, find more authentic ways of relating. Jerry remains part of their lives but on his own terms. The resolution balances change with acceptance.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but transformed. The family gathers together, genuinely connected rather than isolated in proximity. Jerry, still himself, has found belonging without sacrificing freedom. The closing shows a household that has learned to embrace life's messiness.