Fly Me to the Moon
Marketing maven Kelly Jones wreaks havoc on NASA launch director Cole Davis's already difficult task. When the White House deems the mission too important to fail, the countdown truly begins.
The film box office disappointment against its considerable budget of $100.0M, earning $42.3M globally (-58% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the comedy genre.
2 wins & 4 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Kelly Jones
Cole Davis
Moe Berkus
Ruby Martin
Lance Vespertine
Henry Smalls
Main Cast & Characters
Kelly Jones
Played by Scarlett Johansson
A savvy marketing executive hired to improve NASA's public image during the Apollo 11 mission.
Cole Davis
Played by Channing Tatum
NASA's principled launch director who clashes with Kelly's marketing tactics while preparing for the moon landing.
Moe Berkus
Played by Woody Harrelson
Kelly's mysterious handler from a government agency who orchestrates the fake moon landing backup plan.
Ruby Martin
Played by Anna Garcia
Kelly's quick-witted assistant who helps execute her marketing campaigns at NASA.
Lance Vespertine
Played by Jim Rash
An eccentric, perfectionist film director hired to shoot the fake moon landing footage.
Henry Smalls
Played by Ray Romano
A NASA engineer and Cole's close colleague who works on the Apollo mission.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kelly Jones works as a slick marketing executive in 1960s New York, using charm and deception to close deals. Her world is one of superficial success and hidden identity.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Government agent Moe Berkus recruits Kelly to come to Cape Canaveral and revamp NASA's public image. She's given no choice—her shady past means she must comply or face exposure.. At 12% 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Kelly fully commits to the NASA job, launching bold marketing campaigns and product tie-ins. She chooses to invest herself in making America believe in the moon mission, entering Cole's world of space exploration., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Moe reveals the secret backup plan: Kelly must direct a fake moon landing to broadcast if the real mission fails. This false defeat forces Kelly into an impossible moral dilemma that threatens everything she's built with Cole., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 99 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cole discovers the fake landing set and Kelly's involvement in the conspiracy. He feels utterly betrayed—the woman he loves has been lying about everything, including her real identity. Their relationship shatters., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kelly realizes she must choose authenticity over self-preservation. She decides to sabotage the fake broadcast and trust in the real mission, embracing the genuine person Cole helped her become., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Fly Me to the Moon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Fly Me to the Moon against these established plot points, we can identify how Greg Berlanti utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Fly Me to the Moon within the comedy genre.
Greg Berlanti's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Greg Berlanti films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Fly Me to the Moon exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Greg Berlanti filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Greg Berlanti analyses, see Love, Simon, Life As We Know It.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kelly Jones works as a slick marketing executive in 1960s New York, using charm and deception to close deals. Her world is one of superficial success and hidden identity.
Theme
Moe Berkus tells Kelly that perception is reality and that selling the moon landing is about selling a dream people can believe in—foreshadowing the tension between authenticity and illusion.
Worldbuilding
We meet Kelly's world of advertising deception in NYC, then shift to NASA where Cole Davis struggles with budget cuts and public apathy toward the Apollo program. The 1960s setting and space race stakes are established.
Disruption
Government agent Moe Berkus recruits Kelly to come to Cape Canaveral and revamp NASA's public image. She's given no choice—her shady past means she must comply or face exposure.
Resistance
Kelly arrives at NASA and immediately clashes with launch director Cole Davis, who values substance over style. She begins her charm offensive with astronauts and media while Cole resists her manufactured approach.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kelly fully commits to the NASA job, launching bold marketing campaigns and product tie-ins. She chooses to invest herself in making America believe in the moon mission, entering Cole's world of space exploration.
Mirror World
Kelly and Cole share their first genuine connection over dinner. Despite their opposing philosophies, romantic tension builds. Cole represents the authentic life Kelly has never allowed herself.
Premise
Kelly transforms NASA's public image through creative marketing stunts while sparring and flirting with Cole. Their romance develops amid product placements, TV appearances, and the countdown to Apollo 11.
Midpoint
Moe reveals the secret backup plan: Kelly must direct a fake moon landing to broadcast if the real mission fails. This false defeat forces Kelly into an impossible moral dilemma that threatens everything she's built with Cole.
Opposition
Kelly secretly prepares the fake broadcast with eccentric director Lance Vespertine while her relationship with Cole deepens. The tension between her deception and genuine feelings intensifies as launch day approaches.
Collapse
Cole discovers the fake landing set and Kelly's involvement in the conspiracy. He feels utterly betrayed—the woman he loves has been lying about everything, including her real identity. Their relationship shatters.
Crisis
Kelly faces the consequences of her deception. Cole refuses to speak to her. The real Apollo 11 launch proceeds while the fake broadcast looms as a threat to everything authentic about the mission.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kelly realizes she must choose authenticity over self-preservation. She decides to sabotage the fake broadcast and trust in the real mission, embracing the genuine person Cole helped her become.
Synthesis
Kelly destroys the fake footage and ensures only the real moon landing broadcasts. Cole witnesses her choice and understands she's transformed. Apollo 11 succeeds, and the authentic achievement triumphs over manufactured illusion.
Transformation
Kelly and Cole reunite as the world celebrates the real moon landing. Kelly has shed her con-artist identity and embraced authenticity. Their kiss mirrors the opening's loneliness with genuine connection and hope.