Drive Me Crazy
Nicole and Chase live next door to each other but are worlds apart. However, they plot a scheme to date each other in order to attract the interest and jealousy of their respective romantic prey. But in the mist of planning a gala centennial celebration, Nicole and Chase find that the one they always wanted was closer than they ever thought.
Despite its modest budget of $8.0M, Drive Me Crazy became a commercial success, earning $22.6M worldwide—a 182% return.
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%)
Drive Me Crazy (1999) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of John Schultz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 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 Nicole Maris in her perfectly organized world - popular student council member, focused on becoming centennial queen and planning the perfect dance with boyfriend Brad. Established as achievement-oriented, image-conscious, living next door to childhood friend-turned-stranger Chase Hammond.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Nicole is dumped by Brad right before the centennial dance, devastating her perfect plans and social standing. Separately, Chase is dumped by his activist girlfriend Dulcie. Both experience rejection and social humiliation in their respective circles.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Nicole and Chase actively agree to the fake dating scheme. This is their choice to enter a new world - Nicole will make Chase "acceptable" to her crowd, Chase will help Nicole make Brad jealous. They shake on it, committing to the deception and crossing into Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: The fake relationship is working perfectly - they're the talk of the school, their exes are jealous, and they're having genuine fun together. A moment (likely a kiss or intimate conversation) where real feelings surface. Stakes raise: what started as manipulation is becoming real, making the deception more dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth about the fake relationship is exposed (likely at a pre-dance event or publicly at school). Humiliation and betrayal - their peers feel manipulated, their exes are angry, and worst of all, Nicole and Chase turn on each other, denying their real feelings. The relationship "dies" along with their reputations and the possibility of genuine connection., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Breakthrough: Nicole (or Chase) realizes the truth - their feelings were real, and being authentic matters more than social status. Perhaps a friend or parent offers wisdom that reframes everything. Nicole decides to go to the centennial dance not as the perfect queen but as herself, ready to fight for what's real., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Drive Me Crazy'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 Drive Me Crazy against these established plot points, we can identify how John Schultz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Drive Me Crazy within the romance genre.
John Schultz's Structural Approach
Among the 5 John Schultz films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Drive Me Crazy represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Schultz filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more John Schultz analyses, see Aliens in the Attic, Like Mike and The Honeymooners.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Nicole Maris in her perfectly organized world - popular student council member, focused on becoming centennial queen and planning the perfect dance with boyfriend Brad. Established as achievement-oriented, image-conscious, living next door to childhood friend-turned-stranger Chase Hammond.
Theme
Nicole's friend Alicia or Chase's friend comments on authenticity vs. fitting in, foreshadowing the journey both Nicole and Chase will take from fake personas to genuine connection. The question: "Who are you really when you stop trying to be what everyone expects?"
Worldbuilding
Establish the contrasting worlds: Nicole's preppy, popular, achievement-focused circle versus Chase's rebellious, alternative, activist lifestyle. Show their respective relationships (Nicole with Brad, Chase with Dulcie) and the social dynamics of their high school. The centennial dance looms as important event.
Disruption
Nicole is dumped by Brad right before the centennial dance, devastating her perfect plans and social standing. Separately, Chase is dumped by his activist girlfriend Dulcie. Both experience rejection and social humiliation in their respective circles.
Resistance
Nicole processes the breakup and debates how to save face. She observes Chase dealing with his own breakup. The idea begins to form: what if they could help each other? Nicole wrestles with whether to approach Chase despite their social differences. Friends offer conflicting advice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Nicole and Chase actively agree to the fake dating scheme. This is their choice to enter a new world - Nicole will make Chase "acceptable" to her crowd, Chase will help Nicole make Brad jealous. They shake on it, committing to the deception and crossing into Act 2.
Mirror World
The fake relationship officially begins as Nicole and Chase are seen together publicly for the first time. This subplot will teach both characters about authenticity - Chase represents the genuine self Nicole has suppressed; Nicole represents the care and commitment Chase has avoided.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - the fun of the fake dating scheme. Makeover montages: Nicole updates Chase's look, Chase loosens Nicole up. They coach each other, attend events together, navigate each other's social circles. Comedy and chemistry as the plan seems to work - Brad notices, Dulcie notices. They're convincing everyone, including themselves.
Midpoint
False victory: The fake relationship is working perfectly - they're the talk of the school, their exes are jealous, and they're having genuine fun together. A moment (likely a kiss or intimate conversation) where real feelings surface. Stakes raise: what started as manipulation is becoming real, making the deception more dangerous.
Opposition
Complications mount as their different worlds collide. Friends from both circles create tension and suspicion. The centennial dance approaches. Nicole becomes more controlling to maintain the facade; Chase feels Nicole is changing him too much. Their real feelings make the deception harder to maintain. Someone begins to suspect the truth.
Collapse
The truth about the fake relationship is exposed (likely at a pre-dance event or publicly at school). Humiliation and betrayal - their peers feel manipulated, their exes are angry, and worst of all, Nicole and Chase turn on each other, denying their real feelings. The relationship "dies" along with their reputations and the possibility of genuine connection.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Nicole and Chase separately process the fallout. Each retreats to their old identity but realizes how empty it feels. Nicole recognizes she's lost herself in image; Chase recognizes he's been afraid to truly care. Both face the centennial dance alone, having lost what mattered most.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Breakthrough: Nicole (or Chase) realizes the truth - their feelings were real, and being authentic matters more than social status. Perhaps a friend or parent offers wisdom that reframes everything. Nicole decides to go to the centennial dance not as the perfect queen but as herself, ready to fight for what's real.
Synthesis
The centennial dance finale. Nicole arrives authentically herself. Chase arrives, also transformed. Public confrontation where one or both apologize and confess real feelings. They use what they learned from each other - Nicole's commitment plus Chase's authenticity - to bridge their worlds. Reconciliation in front of their peers, choosing truth over image.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but transformed: Nicole and Chase together for real, no longer defined by social labels or others' expectations. They've integrated both worlds - she's still accomplished but authentic, he still cares but opens his heart. The next-door neighbors have found home in each other.